Campaign urges Liverpool workers to use public transport

Sep 7 2007 by David Higgerson, Liverpool Daily Post

CITY centre workers are to be the target of a new campaign which urges them to stop travelling by car – for the sake of the environment.

Regional transport chiefs have decided to use green issues as a reason for trying to get people on to public transport for the first time after research showed half of commuters in Merseyside felt they had a “moral obligation” to reduce the need to use the car.

It is the first time green issues had rated alongside affordability and reliability in terms of issues people consider when they decide how to travel to a destination.

The research was commissioned by the Merseyside Local Transport Plan Partnership as part of their TravelWise Merseyside campaign to promote sustainable forms of transport like cycling, walking or public transport.

Using public transport is widely considered to be greener than travelling by car.

The survey also revealed 75% of people had experienced congestion while travelling in Merseyside.

Neil Scales, chairman of the Merseyside LTP partnership and chief executive and director general of Merseytravel, said: “The TravelWise campaign is vital to help us to tackle congestion and pollution by encouraging people to think about how they travel and this market research helps us make sure our work is as effective and targeted as possible.

“The results of the research are very encouraging as it shows that people do understand the need to think about their travelling choices and also that some are prepared to make changes and reduce their car use.

“We hope the research will mean we can help more people to see the benefits of being TravelWise to themselves and to the environment.

“If people can change even some of their journeys away from the car it helps create a less congested, less polluted environment and a healthier future for our children.”

Car drivers, public transport users, students and children were interviewed and the majority of them recognised that sustainable public transport offers a better alternative to driving for many trips.

It revealed that transport decisions are made based on what offers the most reliability, availability, comfort, the control it offers people and how affordable it is.

Other findings from the survey include:

The favourite way to travel is on foot, with 84% of people saying they like walking;

Nearly 60% of people see the bus service as professional, comfortable and reliable;

Only 50% of people find the car reliable;

41% of people have already reduced their car use;

Congestion is a problem for 75% of people and 58% of people see public transport as reliable as the car.

The Travelwise scheme, recognised as one of the best in the country, is working with schools and businesses throughout the area to help establish alternative ways to travel.

davidhiggerson