Scottish transport statistics reaction

Transport Scotland released their summary of transport figures for 2013

Headline figures
• Transport accounted for a quarter of Scotland’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 2012.
• Cars were still almost 80% of all kilometres travelled in 2013 with cycling only making up 1 percent
• Half of all journeys were under 3km, yet many of these were by car
• People are travelling more often in 2013 than in 2012
• Bus use was contracting with falling journey numbers, total vehicle km, staff and fleet size
• Less than 1% of new vehicle registrations in 2013 were new electric and hybrid vehicles
• Two thirds of commuters said they travelled to work by car/van
• A quarter of school journeys were made by car

Air pollution campaigner Emilia Hanna commented:

“In 2013, cars accounted for almost 80% of traffic and travelled 33.8 billion kilometres. People in Scotland also travelled more in 2013 than in 2012. The pollution caused by these high traffic levels is making our air unsafe to breathe, with people suffering from lung cancer, heart attacks, strokes and asthma. In Scotland alone, at least 2000 people die early every year due to air pollution.

“Many of the journeys made by car could be taken by bike or public transport but the figures show that still only 1 percent of all journeys are made by bike and that the bus industry has been steadily contracting over the last five years.

“The National Cycling Strategy has the target of 10% of all journeys in Scotland to be made by bike by 2020. Although cycling is increasing, currently only 1 percent of all journeys are made by bike.

“As part of the fight against deadly air pollution the Government should commit to targets to reduce overall car journeys. It should also reduce the need to travel by helping people access services in different ways.”

Emilia Hanna commented,

“The Government is currently consulting on a Low Emission Strategy which should spell out how it will make our air safe to breathe again. When complete, the Strategy needs to commit to a date by when Scottish clean air standards will be met.

“The Government needs to redouble its efforts to tackle air pollution by building more cycle paths so that it’s easier for people to travel by bike, and by providing extra support to the bus industry.

“Meanwhile, the Government is embroiled in two legal actions for failing to meet European legal deadlines for clean air and runs the risk of having to pay fines if it does not meet the clean air limits.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Transport Scotland statistics: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/statistics/scottish-transport-statis…

2. Transport Scotland accompanying Infographics: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/statistics/scottish-transport-statis…

3. Air pollution from fine particles (PM2.5) is responsible for an equivalent of over 2000 deaths each year in Scotland, according to research by Public Health England: http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1317141074607

4. Scotland has missed its carbon emission reduction targets for the past three years. http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/news/scottish-climate-change-efforts-ste…

5. Friends of the Earth Scotland is:
* Scotland's leading environmental campaigning organization
* An independent Scottish charity with a network of thousands of supporters and active local groups across Scotland
* Part of the largest grassroots environmental network in the world, uniting over 2 million supporters, 74 national member groups, and some 5,000 local activist groups.
www.foe-scotland.org.uk