The Will to Change

Research has indicated that more people are prepared to switch from their car to public transport than ever before. A fifth of motorists surveyed find driving increasingly stressful and would prefer to reduce their car use. A further fifth have already reduced their car use and would make additional changes if travelling by public transport was more attractive.

There is growing awareness of the need to change travel behaviour in order to reduce carbon footprints and help towards the global fight against climate change. A recent poll for The Times revealed that more than two thirds of those who consider themselves environmentally aware have already cut the number of journeys they make by car; whilst a public opinion survey for the Department for Transport (2008) showed that 75% of adults would change their behaviour to help limit climate change. The “would change” attitudes must become “will change”, and attractive alternatives to cars – buses and coaches – are the way to achieve this.

People are also beginning to see the importance of public transport. Recent YouGov surveys indicate an overwhelming majority of people support greater investment in public transport and would put ‘taking public transport’ as a realistic measure to help the environment second only to recycling. And with customer satisfaction on buses and coaches at an impressive 82%, once people start using them, they’ll keep using them.

The signs are clear: with the right incentives, more people will make the switch to bus and coach.

This inspiring project by Swedish coach company Flygbussarna gives a strong visual argument for swapping a motorway full of cars for far fewer coaches.

Click here to view.