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Boom in public transport to beat soaring fuel costs
Jack Lefley, Evening Standard31 Jul 2008
Soaring fuel prices are causing almost two-thirds of Londoners to consider using public transport rather than going by car, a poll reveals today.
The rising cost of petrol has led to the majority of people planning to go by Tube, bus or train in an effort to cut travelling expenses.
The YouGov poll, commissioned by National Express, shows that 60 per cent of people who drive or use a car are considering using public transport.
The survey of 2,000 people showed that a similar proportion admit that the surge in fuel prices has affected how much they are using cars, while only 21 per cent claim it has had no effect.
One in five of Londoners said the price of fuel affected how often they used the car, with just one per cent saying they were unaffected by rising fuel costs. The figure is mirrored across the country, with 61 per cent of those asked who drive a car saying they would consider using public transport.
Sixty-five per cent of women said they would consider using public transport to save money, compared to 57 per cent of men.
The poll also shows that the impact of the sharp rise in pump prices is universal-with the majority of people of every age and from every part of Britain admitting that the squeeze has prompted them to leave the car at home and consider using public transport.
Richard Bowker, group chief executive of National Express, said: "The public transport industry is seeing clear evidence that due to the rapid increase in petrol prices, people are changing the way they travel in Britain.
"Public transport offers a faster, safer, more comfortable and greener alternative to cars. The investments made by public transport companies in recent years have transformed our service to customers."
He added: "No one at National Express is pleased with the recent increase in fuel prices, which has put so much pressure on family budgets. Our industry has a unique opportunity to rise to the challenge."
OIL PRICE COULD PUSH UP CAB FARES
THE cost of black cab journeys could increase by 50p if oil prices continue to rise.
If the price of diesel reaches 154p per litre before February next year drivers will be allowed to add a 50p surcharge each trip.
Transport for London said fuel prices had shot up 27 per cent since the tariffs for 2008 were fixed in April and the move would help cab drivers.
The taxi industry, businesses and groups representing passengers had been consulted, TfL said.
Jeroen Weimar, chief operating officer of TfL's Surface Transport, said: "We recognise the burden that fuel price increases have had on taxi drivers this year.
"Fuel makes up about 10 per cent of the costs of running a taxi and unlike many other trades, taxi drivers cannot put prices up to reflect increased costs.
"Passengers can rest assured, however, that any increase in fares as a result of this decision will be taken into account when TfL sets taxi tariffs in April 2009."
A fare review is due next April if oil price rises are not reflected at the pumps.
Reader views (4)
What's wrong with it taking 3 or 5 persons sharing a cab to bring it within financial reach? And what's wrong with taking a cab on your own if you can afford it or don't want to use other forms of public transport?
- George, Essex, 10/08/2008 23:12
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Taxi's are already ridiculously expensive in London. I can not think of another city that is anywhere near, not even Tokyo! It only makes sense if there are 3 or more people.
- Mark, London, UK, 31/07/2008 13:25
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"Considering" is one thing, doing is another. My 120 mile round trip by car has risen 50p in my monitoring period, but the National Rail price rise of the equivalent return has gone up 65p.
And I bet that the London public transport fares would have not held had it not been for this year's Mayoral election.
I will reluctantly consider travelling by bus again when I know I won't be troubled by yobs playing loud 'music' on their mobes or temperatures soaring towards 50 deg C.
- Jools, London, 31/07/2008 13:01
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I can almost see the headlines in a few months' time: "Record fare increases due to rising fuel costs, say bus and train companies".
Time to cut out the middleman and renationalise public transport to reduce costs so that those who can no longer afford private transport aren't penalised any further by having to pay for fuel increases and to line shareholders' pockets on top of already-high public transport costs. Otherwise we will be well on the way to alienating a huge section of society into a fuel poverty trap where they will not even be able to afford to travel to work.
Perhaps the Government might also have the nous to introduce more tax on the obscene profits of the major utilities (that abuse their positions with massive price hikes) and invest the money in public transport improvements and lower fares. That would be a great idea, so I doubt very much they will...
- Paul B, London, UK, 31/07/2008 12:06
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