As the UK emerges from COVID-19 lockdown, public transport capacity is set to be severely limited to reduce the risk of further infection. But is a surge in private car journeys inevitable? Or could the post-pandemic world present a new opportunity to encourage greener, healthier commutes?
Scope
In May 2020, as part of the UK government’s daily COVID-19 briefings, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps unveiled a £2 billion initiative to “to put cycling and walking at the heart of our transport policy.” [1] The plans, which include widening pavements and creating more dedicated cycle lanes, followed the announcement of a £5 billion spending package in February to ‘level-up’ local bus and cycle networks by increasing the frequency of services, reducing fares, and introducing a fleet of zero-emission vehicles. [2]
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- 23. 'Uber gives NHS staff free rides on its Jump bike service in London', Express and Star (March 2020)
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