CPT emphasises modal shift in response to decarbonisation
Responding to Transport for the North’s consultation on its forthcoming decarbonisation strategy, CPT has called for modal shift to be prioritised to reach net zero goals.
The Committee on Climate Change forecasts that by 2030 there is a need to see around one in 10 car journeys switch to bus in order to remain on track for Net Zero by 2050.
CPT argues that a key factor deterring people from catching the bus is unreliable journey times, and measures that keep buses out of traffic, including bus-only roads, traffic signalling and priority at junctions are necessary. It adds that alongside investment in bus priority, other measures that will encourage bus travel must be examined, including Clean Air Zones that include cars, and road pricing and congestion charges that are levied on cars while leaving buses and coaches exempt.
CPT regional manager Andrew McGuinness says: “To reduce carbon emissions from transport we need to prioritise encouraging people to choose greener modes of travel, such as the bus.”
CPT’s response also highlighted that the draft decarbonisation strategy failed to acknowledge the benefits of coach travel. It points out that a 15 per cent increase in coach passenger journeys by British people each year could lead to approximately 47 million fewer cars on the road, saving over a quarter of a million tonnes of carbon dioxide. It is calling for more support to encourage people to travel by coach, with coach-friendly measures such as adequate parking and drop-off and pick-up points for passengers.
“It was disappointing that coach was not mentioned in the draft decarbonisation strategy,” adds McGuinness, “when coaches can take up to 50 cars [off the road] and they will play an important role in the journey to Net Zero carbon emissions.”