{"id":5986,"date":"2020-05-27T15:06:45","date_gmt":"2020-05-27T14:06:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/expertcomment\/?p=5986"},"modified":"2021-06-15T16:00:23","modified_gmt":"2021-06-15T15:00:23","slug":"rehabilitating-public-transport-is-essential-for-a-green-recovery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/expertcomment\/rehabilitating-public-transport-is-essential-for-a-green-recovery\/","title":{"rendered":"Rehabilitating public transport is essential for a green recovery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dr Susan Kenyon considers the long-term environmental impact of the \u2018super-spreader narrative\u2019 surrounding public transport.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Public transport is facing a bit of an image problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more than two months now, we have been in lockdown, travelling as little as possible. Initially, the message was clear: movement spreads the virus; reducing movement will help to stop the virus from spreading. Stay at home \u2013 do not travel \u2013 save lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the lockdown has lifted, movement is permitted. We no longer have to stay at home to save lives. We can walk; we can cycle; we can drive. But one thing is very clear: we should not use public transport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, on 14 May, the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, stated that: \u201c\u2018\u2026it is our civic duty to avoid public transport\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gradually, since we became aware of Covid-19 at the start of the year, a narrative has developed in which public transport, rather than the virus, is the problem. Public transport has been depicted as a \u2018super-spreader\u2019 \u2013 the modern-day equivalent of Typhoid Mary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a real problem for the hoped-for green recovery; for the \u2018new normal\u2019 in which we travel less and, when we do travel, we travel by sustainable modes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infrastructure changes to make walking and cycling easier, such as those being implemented in London, alongside funding for active travel for local authorities outside of London, are welcome. People will be more able to cycle and more willing, too, if they see others cycling and if they see less traffic. However, infrastructure is only one factor influencing why people travel as they do. <\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

As I have stated in a previous blog<\/a>, travel behaviour change is dependent upon people\u2019s ability and willingness to change. For most of us, our ability to change to walking or cycling, plus our willingness to do so, are limited. We must remember that there are people who can\u2019t or won\u2019t walk or cycle; that there are activities that people can\u2019t access by walking or cycling; that, for most of us, our built environment and the patterns of our daily lives make walking and cycling impossible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what do we do if we can\u2019t walk or cycle?  In the same interview, Shapps stated: \u201c\u2026 if you can\u2019t walk or cycle but you do have access to a car, please use it, rather than travelling by bus, train or tram\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And herein lies the problem. Public transport is portrayed as such a problem that, contrary to all environmental and transport policy pre-Covid-19, we are being actively encouraged to use our cars. And if there is more car use, people will once again be less inclined to walk, or cycle. The positive behaviour change towards active travel, that so many crave, will be undone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, we are in the middle of a global health emergency. Once the virus is under control, the government will undoubtedly reverse this message. But I fear that the \u2018super-spreader narrative\u2019, which has been developed by the government and seized upon by the press, will have done irreparable damage to the reputation of public transport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is essential to act now, to begin to rehabilitate public transport. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n