Reluctance to use public transport is at its highest level for 18 years, a new study shows, as a majority of motorists say having access to a car is more important now than before the pandemic.
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Figures from the RAC reveal that only 43% of drivers would use their car less if public transport improved, which is down sharply from 57% last year. The proportion of motorists who said they are not prepared to use public transport if it improved rose sharply from around 20% to 35%.
It also found that a third of motorists said they are using their vehicles just as much as last year and 17% have increased their car use. More drivers (79%) said they would find it very difficult to adjust to life without a car than last year (73%) and more than half (54%) said this is because they see cars as a safer form of transport during Covid-19.
Research was carried out before the start of the second lockdown in England.
Rod Dennis of the RAC said the pandemic “appears to have reinforced the bond between drivers and their cars, with public transport less attractive than ever”.
He added: “Without a concerted effort from Government and local councils, the pandemic risks putting efforts to encourage drivers out of their cars for some trips back by years.”
Also this week, figures from traffic data company TomTom reveal that the second national lockdown in England is having less of an impact on reducing congestion than the first in March.
In London on the first day of lockdown last Thursday, congestion was 33% down compared to a standard day in 2019 – and was down only 15% this Monday. But on 23 March when the first national lockdown was imposed, congestion had reduced by 52% and was 74% lower by the end of that week.
In Birmingham, congestion was down 46% at the start of the second lockdown, but was only 31% down this Monday. In the spring, congestion in the city was down 60% on day one of the first lockdown and fell further to 74% by the end of the first week.
And while Manchester saw a similar level of reduction in congestion between the start of the first and second lockdowns (55% last week and 59% in March) the streets were notably quieter on the third weekday of lockdown in spring (a 76% reduction in congestion) compared to now (45% down).
(Photograph: Pajor Powel - Shutterstock)
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