With increasing fuel costs and traffic congestion, Transport Minister Conor Murphy is encouraging private and public employers to be supportive to sustainable transport, as part of his message during the Once a Week campaign which marks the start of Travelwise Week in association with European Mobility Week (15-21 September). The Once a Week campaign encourages people to leave the car behind, where they can, in favour of public transport, cycling and walking.
The minister has written to over 200 employers to encourage them to look at how their their organisation deals with transportation issues.
The minister said: "The Department for Regional Development (DRD) has made several steps towards encouraging staff to leave the car at home. The department implemented a car share scheme across government over two years ago which is used by 1966 people today. This car share scheme has saved over 3,781,718 million miles, £378,000 and over 713 tonnes of CO2.
"There are bikes available for people to use as a mode of transport for business during the working day. As well as car sharing, walking, cycling and public transport are highlighted in events each year including Bike to Work Day and Walk to School Day.
"Employers also can look at these ideas to help encourage their staff to use transport other than the car. Some employers already recognise the value of sustainable transport and I congratulate them in helping lead the way towards a healthier environment," said Mr Murphy.
"Sustainable transport helps lower fuel emissions, has environment and health benefits and it also makes financial sense.
"A survey carried out for Travelwise Week found that 93% of commuters supported Travelwise's call to leave the car behind and try the alternatives for at least one journey a week with 85% saying they would give it a go.
"However, I appreciate that for many people leaving the car at home is not always an option but by car-sharing with at least one other person, be they family member, friend or colleague you can automatically halve your fuel costs. 38% of respondents said they were interested in doing this and I would encourage them to access our online car-share site www.carshareni.com that can find travel partners for those seeking a commuting companion.
"The survey also found that 55% of commuters who drive to work have had to cut back on the number of miles they drive with 44% spending between an extra £10 to £20 per week on fuel and a further 31% spending an extra £20-£50 per week which equates to hundreds and thousands of pounds per year. "
Catherine Mason, Group Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (NITHCo) and Translink, said: “We welcome the findings of the Travelwise NI commuter survey which clearly demonstrate the need for a reduction in car use. Public transport is a better way to travel particularly with motoring costs increasing.
“Consumers could be making considerable savings by switching from the car. For example, our Metro weekly travelcard, giving unlimited travel, costs much less than a tank of fuel. The current ‘Metro Fridays’ promotion very much supports the Travelwise NI ‘Once a Week’ campaign by encouraging people to use Metro on a Friday.
"Translink research has shown that there are considerable cost savings to be made for commuters using public transport instead of car travel. The following examples were calculated using AA ‘cost per mile’ data, car parking charges and Translink fares as at 9 September 2008. Findings showed if a commuter left the car at home and got the bus from Antrim Road to Belfast City Centre, they would save £1,497.60 per year. A train journey from Lisburn to Belfast City Centre would save a commuter £2,283 per year and a bus journey from Magherafelt to Belfast City Centre would save £4,032.70 per year,'' she said.
Travelwise NI is an initiative of the Department for Regional Development and is supported by DOE Road Safety, Translink, Sustrans and the Health promotion Agency. For more information please visit www.travelwiseni.com or contact a member of the Travelwise NI team on 0845 378 0908
Notes to Editors:
The survey was conducted in Belfast on Wednesday 3 September following the return of the schools. 500 commuters were surveyed.
- 53% drove to work, 26% used public transport, 13% walked with 7% cycling
- 93% supported the Once a Week call with 7% opposed
- 85% said they would leave the car behind for one journey a week compared to 7% who said no and 8% who made no comment
- 5% said they were driving less due to increase in cost of fuel 27% were not driving less and 18% were unsure
- 44% spent extra £10-£20 per week on fuel; 31% spent £20-£50, 11% spent under £10; 3% spent £50-£100 with 11% unsure
- 38% were interested in car-sharing, 30% public transport, 16% walking, 5% cycling and 11% unsure
- 74% said financial savings would be biggest incentive to change ways, 10% said environmental, 4% time savings, 6% health benefits and 6% unsure
- 48% spent 1-2hours commuting per day, 32% 30mins – 1 hour, 16% less than 30mins, 3% 2-3 hours and 1% 3-5 hours
