Reports:

Study of European best practice in the delivery of integrated transport: report on stage 3 - transferability

6. Mobility Concepts

Elements of Best Practice

6.1 The case study areas all demonstrated more 'visible' efforts to encourage modal switch away from the car and reduce the attractiveness of individual car ownership which tends to lead to higher car usage. These included travel awareness campaigns, initiatives such as car pooling, car sharing, travel plans and significant discounts on group tickets for public transport.

6.2 There were also other, more unusual schemes including subsidised driving lessons on how to reduce emissions and increase fuel efficiency that also discourage car use for journeys less than 2 km (Stuttgart), bike rental (Munich and Graz) and bike trailer rental (Graz).

6.3 Most of these concepts were being promoted by the public sector or with public subsidy. A key common element was the existence of a central authority - usually a Mobility Centre run as part of the city council, sub-regional authority (see rural transport - next chapter) or a national authority - to provide travel information, using maps and leaflets, face to face or by telephone and advice, for example, on looking for car sharers.

Main Benefits

6.4 These transport schemes and initiatives are relatively well-used (there are over 800 members in Stuttgart's car club, and Regiotaxi carries 1,530 passengers a day) suggesting that they are achieving social inclusion and accessibility objectives. However, the extent of these outcomes is difficult to quantify; there has been little monitoring and it is difficult to separate the influence of widely-available travel information, for example, from other changes to public transport services, fares, etc.

UK Approach

6.5 A number of similar initiatives are being pursued in the UK, including:

• The national Travelwise campaign - to raise awareness of impact of travel decisions on traffic, health and environmental problems and promote alternatives to the car.

Notts Travelwise A TravelWise information centre in Nottingham is being funded by a LTP bid. £1.8 million being dedicated to promoting transport information and developing travel plans with local employers.

• Alternative fuels technology - being promoted by the PowerShift organisation with Government funding towards the purchase of vehicles.
• Central and local government promotion of travel plans for all major employers, including funding for 110 Travel Plan co-ordinators over three years.

6.6 However, the take up of such initiatives is being constrained by a number of factors including differences in taxes (employers can get free parking at their workplace, but season tickets are tax deductible), rules on reimbursement (cycle use for works business is limited to 15 pence per mile, whereas car use is about 45 pence) and a lack of incentives for employers to adopt travel plans.

Transferability of European Approach

6.7 The key difference between the UK and overseas is the level of commitment assigned to promoting mobility concepts. For example, Stuttgart and Graz have centrally located offices offering advice and information. In Munich, the MOBINET programme, which includes real-time passenger information, park and ride and bike and ride facilities, safe routes to school initiatives and virtual services such as Internet access to Town Hall functions, is costing £25m with 50% of funds coming from the federal government and 50% from the City, State and industrial partners.

6.8 In addition to the scale of funding, the UK is constrained by public attitudes towards alternatives to the car. For example, car sharing faces scepticism as cars are seen as status symbols and there are poor perceptions of public transport and cycling in the UK which are not so widespread overseas.

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