Drivers Unwilling to Give Up Cars

In the run-up to the launch of the national transport strategy, new research from Direct Line shows the Government’s plans are unlikely to tempt drivers out of their cars and onto public transport.

Direct Line’s second Motoring Report, published this week, reveals that UK drivers are unwilling to give up their cars because public transport does not provide a viable alternative. It also shows they would make the switch if public transport was more reliable and cheaper – but proposed Government measures such as road tolls and higher parking charges will probably fail to have the same effect.

According to Direct Line’s research, carried out by MORI, the majority of drivers say their cars are cheaper, quicker and more comfortable than any form of public transport. 69% of motorists who usually drive to work or college and who have public transport available say it is cheaper to use their car, 73% say it is cheaper for trips away, 94% say it is a more comfortable way of going shopping and 96% believe is it quicker for the “school run”.

Many motorists simply do not have access to any form of public transport. For example, 60% of drivers say it is not available for going to work, 67% cannot use it for the school run, while 48% and 45% respectively say it is unavailable for trips away and shopping.

Government measures to reduce car use seem destined to fail, according to the report. 71% of motorists say they are unlikely to use public transport as a result of more bus lanes, while 66% will not be deterred from using their car by road tolls and 53% will still use their car if city centre tolls are imposed. But better public transport could tempt many motorists to leave their cars at home more often. Nearly two thirds of drivers (59%) believe people could be encouraged to use their cars less if public transport improved. 34% of drivers say they would leave their cars behind if reliability was better, while 30% would make the change if fares were cheaper and 29% would be persuaded by greater frequency.

“The Government has a mountain to climb in persuading motorists to use public transport,” says Annette Court, managing director of Direct Line’s Direct Division. “Until it can demonstrate real transport improvements, drivers will be reluctant to leave their cars. Our research says they want the choice, but it simply isn’t being given to them.”

Direct Line’s Motoring Report also shows that 72% of motorists agree that a greater proportion of motoring taxes should be spent on transport improvements. During 1997/98, motorists paid £32 billion in road user taxation, with just over £5 billion actually being spent on the roads. Nearly three quarters of drivers (71%) had no idea how much of their spending on petrol goes in tax. Following the March 2000 Budget, the actual figure is 80p per £1 spent on unleaded fuel.

Direct Line is urging the Government to conduct a fresh review of its transport policies. “More of the motoring taxes paid by drivers, that seem to disappear into a Government black hole, should be used to improve the transport system and road infrastructure in this country,” says Annette Court. “There is a strong case for improving public transport. It can play a key role in reducing city congestion and cut the time spent by those commuting into cities and towns from suburban areas. But our report reveals that, all too often, alternatives to the car are seen as unreliable, inconvenient, expensive or simply non-existent.”

www.motormag.com