Poor public transport has forced a THIRD of Brits to become more dependent on their cars
Motorists are becoming more reliant on their cars as UK public transport options fail to meet their needs, with over 30 per cent of Brits now using their vehicle more than they did 12 months ago
THE state of the UK's public transport system is forcing drivers to become more dependent on their cars, according to new figures.
Research from the RAC found some 33 per cent of motorists are more reliant on their vehicles now than they were 12 months ago - equivalent to 13.2million Brits.
The organisation's annual Report on Motoring revealed an increase in this figure, up from 27 per cent giving the same answer in the 2017 report.
Along with the difference in the number of people claiming to have reduced their car use between 2017 and 2018 reports, the RAC found a rise of just over 12 per cent, suggesting some 4.8million drivers have made the shift from "less" to "more" car use in the last year.
And the quality of public transport options has been blamed for the increase in motor vehicle use.
A whopping 59 per cent of drivers claimed they would use their cars less if public transport was better, with expensive fares labelled as the biggest deterrent.
Motorists cited services not running at convenient times, distance from their home, frequency of services and their punctuality as the main reasons for not using pubic transport.
Other frustrated road users claimed transport options were too slow, overcrowded and were plagued with cancellations.
Three-quarters of drivers surveyed also said they would struggle adapting to a lifestyle without a car.
The rise in car use could prove costly for motorists, as the Government tightens its crackdown on emissions, particularly with the capital's ULEZ coming into force from next year.
David Bizley, RAC chief engineer, said: “At a time when there is so much effort being put into tackling air quality issues and congestion, it's alarming to see that dependency on the car is actually the highest we have ever seen.
"While there is much talk about improving public transport, the reality is very different as buses and trains are not meeting public expectations, and in fact in some cases have actually gone backwards.
“Our research clearly shows many people don’t think public transport offers a viable alternative to the car for their needs.
"There is a definite willingness among motorists to use public transport more if only it were better. Consequently, people end up driving by default as they feel public transport is either too expensive, non-existent or just doesn’t go where or when they need it to.
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“It is particularly frightening to think we have fewer people travelling by bus in 2018 than we did in 2008.
“We must make it easier for public transport to be used on the journeys that the majority of people make most often.
"At the very least there should be comprehensive park and ride schemes operating in every large city, removing the need for commuters to clog up city centres simply trying to get to and from work."