Transport Projects Worth £1 Billion Under Review by Government, Despite Success of Fare Cap
London, UK – The new Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has revealed that the government is currently reviewing £1 billion worth of transport projects. This announcement has raised concerns about the potential scrapping of the fare cap, despite its success in encouraging more people to use public transportation.
According to the annual commuting survey conducted by climate-tech company Mobilityways, there has been a significant increase in bus users over the past year. The survey, known as Commuter Census 2024, has been conducted for the past four years and has revealed a 17% increase in the number of people using buses as their primary mode of transportation.
One in ten commuters in the UK now choose to travel by bus, thanks to the implementation of a £2 price cap per journey by the UK government last year. This change has been credited with making a significant difference in encouraging more people to use public transportation.
The main reason cited by employees for using the bus as their primary mode of transportation is cost. 56% of bus users in the survey cited cost as the main factor influencing their commute, which is a 12% increase from the previous year.
The popularity of buses is expected to continue to rise in the coming years, with 43% of respondents in the Commuter Census 2024 stating that they would consider using the bus or an electric bus as an alternative to their current mode of transportation.
However, there are several issues that need to be addressed before the bus can reach its full potential in terms of popularity. When asked what would encourage them to travel by bus, respondents highlighted issues such as quicker journey times, bus schedules that align with their work arrival and departure times, and a more reliable service. These factors were deemed more important than subsidized or cheaper fares, which only affected 17% of respondents. This highlights the importance of providing a better service to commuters, rather than simply focusing on reducing fares.
It remains to be seen how the government will address these issues and whether the fare cap will be maintained. For now, the success of the fare cap in encouraging more people to use public transportation is evident, and it is clear that cost is a significant factor for commuters when choosing their mode of transportation.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.