Campaign for Better Transport is calling for an International
Rail Strategy to help increase cross border rail travel and
reduce emissions from aviation, on the occasion of the first ever
UN World Sustainable Transport Day, which will take place on
26 November.
The transport charity is calling on the UK Government to
create an International Rail Strategy to expand and speed up
international rail links to replace short haul flights. Campaign
for Better Transport wants to see rail tickets available for
through journeys from UK railway stations to mainland Europe and
an increase in Rail & Sail tickets which combine train and
ferry travel.
Paul Tuohy, from transport charity Campaign for Better Transport,
said: “Sustainable transport is vitally important to local
communities, but it is also a global issue responsible for a
quarter of greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions are
hastening climate change, harming people, habitats and species in
every part of the globe.
“Governments must urgently work to reduce emissions by increasing
investment in sustainable transport and encouraging its use.
Improving rail links between the UK and Europe is one way the UK
Government can help tackle climate change by giving people more
choice about how they travel.”
In recognition of the importance of sustainable transport in
addressing the climate emergency, the United Nations has declared
26 November ‘World Sustainable Transport Day’. To mark this
global day of sustainable transport action, Campaign for Better
Transport is calling on the UK Government to:
•
Create an International Rail Strategy
•
Prioritise investment in public and shared transport,
walking and cycling, over building new roads
•
Make sustainable transport the affordable choice for
travellers.
Figures show that global public transport networks need to be
built at six times the current rate to avoid the worst impact of
climate breakdown. Yet recent UK Government policies – cutting
domestic aviation taxes, diverting funding from the High Speed 2
rail project to road building and suggesting that drivers should
take precedence over other transport users – will not only fail
to achieve this, they also fail to match public opinion which
overwhelmingly supports more investment in public transport
networks.
Research commissioned by Campaign for Better Transport revealed
almost universal support for public transport investment among
the public, whether they are primarily drivers or use public
transport:
• 90
per cent of drivers and 91 per cent of public transport
passengers want to see a bigger rail network
• 97
per cent of drivers and 98 per cent of public transport
passengers want cheaper rail fares
• 94
per cent of drivers and 95 per cent of public transport
passengers want more and improved bus routes.
Overall, three out of four drivers would like to have more
options to get around than relying on driving, and eight out
of ten would use public transport more if it was better.
Mr Tuohy added: “Our survey shows that cutting investment in
public transport is not just bad for the planet, it is out of
step with public opinion. The vast majority of people want to see
more investment in our public transport network, not less, that’s
why this World Sustainable Transport Day we are calling on the UK
Government to help reduce transport’s negative impact on the
planet and give more people the ability to travel sustainably.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- In recognition of the important role of safe, affordable,
accessible and sustainable transport systems for all in
supporting sustainable economic growth, improving the social
welfare of people and enhancing international cooperation and
trade among countries, the United Nations General Assembly
decided to declare 26 November as World
Sustainable Transport Day.
- ‘Expand the coverage of rapid transit infrastructure six
times faster. This is equivalent to constructing public transit
systems roughly three times the size of New York City’s network
of subway rails, bus lanes and light-rail tracks each year
throughout this decade.’ - State
of Climate Action 2023, World Resources Institute.
- Campaign for Better Transport’s survey was carried out by
Yonder Data Solutions between 4 and 5 October 2023. It was a
nationally representative survey amongst 1,079 people which was
conducted via an online omnibus survey. Yonder Data Solutions is
a MRS Fair Data accredited and an MRS Company Partner which has
achieved the International Standard ISO 20252:2019 for market,
opinion and social research.
