A new report issued by ONS has found that a lack of reliable, regular, or convenient public transport is the biggest barrier for using greener forms of transport.
Data collected between 25 January 2023 to 5 February 2023 showed that 4 in 10 adults rated this as the main reason they refrain from using these services, closely followed by the expense.
The Bus Funding Division of the Department for Transport said: “The Government remains committed to supporting improvements to our vital local transport services across the country.
“England’s long-term National Bus Strategy, “Bus Back Better”, which sets out the Government’s vision for bus services across the country was published in 2021 to make buses more frequent, more reliable, easier to understand and use, better co-ordinated and cheaper.”
Julie Walker, 62, a midwife from Cambridge said: “I would be far more inclined to use a bus for my daily commute, but having tried to do so on occasion, I have realised what a pain they are. Always late, often not even turning up at all. It is a shame as I know using public transport would be better for the planet.”
The Bus Funding Division of the Department for Transport said: “The Government remains committed to supporting improvements to our vital local transport services across the country.
“England’s long-term National Bus Strategy, “Bus Back Better”, which sets out the Government’s vision for bus services across the country was published in 2021 to make buses more frequent, more reliable, easier to understand and use, better co-ordinated and cheaper.”
Data collected by the CPT shows that swapping just two car journeys a month to the bus would produce reductions in air pollution valued at £28m.
“UK decision-makers should not park bus policy packages but see them as fair and achievable measures to slash carbon, generate new tax revenue, create more jobs and make people healthier.”
The report looked at many areas of lifestyle which could be impacting our climate, including the greenhouse gas emissions on a residence basis, the proportion of businesses acting on their carbon emissions and the number of newly licensed electric vehicles.
A spokesperson for the National Express said: “Our National Express coaches are an environmentally responsible way to travel with the lowest carbon footprint of public transport. One full coach can take up to 50 cars off the road, reducing congestion and carbon emissions, alongside improving air quality.
“Not only do we have the newest and greenest fleet currently available on UK roads, but we’re also leading the way in the development of a zero-emission coach and are committed to delivering this by 2035.”
Bus companies First Bus and stagecoach were approached but did not wish to comment.