Road Wars

Car Travel Cheaper Than Public Transport

Squall 12, Spring 1996, pg. 41.

Travelling by car in London became cheaper in January than using public transport, according to the Capital Transport Campaign (CAPITAL).

CAPITAL were responding to the latest fare hike for rail, tube and bus users in London which came into effect on January 7.

Their research found that although petrol prices had also risen, the gap between the cost of public transport and cars had widened further.

It is, they say, £17.00 cheaper to drive to London from Brighton and back than use the train, £4.20 cheaper to make a return journey from London to Guilford, and almost £30.00 cheaper to make a return journey from London to Peterborough by car.

Far from easing traffic on our clogged up roads, these latest fare rises will simply provide drivers with further disincentives to switch modes,” said Andy Burns, spokesman for the public transport pressure group.

Without a radical change in policy the UK will continue to have one of the lowest levels in public transport use,” he added.

CAPITAL believes that the Government should have a strategic approach to transport, rather than considering the cost of motoring and public transport separately.