Economy

Not only is congestion one of the major causes of increase in CO₂ from transport, it is also very damaging to the UK Economy.  Encouraging greater use of bus and coach has many other wider economic benefits, supporting vital jobs and services.

 
• Congestion in urban areas currently costs the UK £11 billion GDP.                                (Source: Urban Transport Analysis)
• Car traffic is 87% greater than in 1980 and still rising, making the UK the most car dependent country in Europe.  If left unchecked, 13% of traffic will be at stop-start travel conditions by 2025.  Rising cost of congestion will waste an extra £22 billion worth of time in England alone by 2025. (Source: The Eddington Transport Study 2006)
• The Eddington Study notes that the key economic strategic challenge is to make use of existing infrastructure advocates a stronger role for buses which provide real flexibility and can deliver additional capacity very quickly and with no new roads. Electrification of the road network and widespread roll out of electric cars will do nothing to tackle congestion.
• The bus and coach industry directly employs over 170,000 people. The UK bus and coach manufacturing sector employs 4,000 and supports a further 4,000 jobs. Encouraging people to switch from car to bus or coach for some of their journeys would support these key industries and create new jobs.