More than one in four people in the South West (26%) plan to change how they get to work next year, according to a report by the UK’s leading job site reed.co.uk.
In Southampton 34% want to change their transport to work, the most in the entire UK, while in Bristol 31% want to change, still higher than the 29% in London.
Fare-rises top the list of reasons why people want to switch travel methods over the next 12 months, according to the reed.co.uk survey of nearly 3,000 people across the country.
Nationally 7 per cent, equivalent to two million workers, plan transport changes purely to avoid fare rises. An additional 6%, (1.7 million workers) plan to move house or job over the next 12 months solely to gain an easier commute.
Overall people would like to cut their dependence on underground or metro trains by a third, on mainline trains by half, and on buses or trams by as much as two thirds.
Instead people plan to turn to cars. Nationally the rise in people driving to work on their own (without a passenger) is set to rise 6% (from 48% of respondents to 51%) and in London up by 12 percentage points (from 23% to 35%).
In contrast use of greener or healthier travel options is set to stay the same or even fall next year. Plans for commuting by bike, park-and ride, or working at home are unchanged for the next 12 months, while levels of car-sharing, walking or running are predicted to go down.
Martin Warnes, Managing Director of reed.co.uk said: “Huge numbers of people plan to change how they travel to work next year, as rising fares and increased transport stress kick in. Many feel driving to work alone in their cars will be their only option, in spite of growing green and health concerns.”
“Yet there may be more choices available than people first think. Car-share schemes are now open across the country, and new bicyclists can still call on extra support. Employers can help too by offering more flexible working hours and work from home options.”
Stephen Joseph, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said: “We are appalled that fare increases, as set out in the Government’s plans, could force people off public transport. This survey shows that this is a real cause for concern, and could result in increased road congestion, carbon emissions and air pollution. Raising rail and bus fares could also price lower paid employees off public transport and even stop people from accessing jobs.
“We urge the Government to reconsider this policy and to move towards cheaper, more accessible public transport that offers people a genuine alternative to their cars.”
