Menu

Bold action needed to cut number of cars on our roads

We need to boost public transport.

Scotland must take bold action if we are to reduce the number of cars on our roads, says the Scottish Greens’ transport spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP.

Mr Ruskell’s comments follow the publication of a new report from Audit Scotland warning that the 2030 target for cutting car use is likely to be missed.

Mr Ruskell said:

“This must serve as a wakeup call. We urgently need to reduce the number of cars on our roads if we are to have any hope of hitting our climate targets. It won’t happen by itself, it will need bold action to get us there.

“Part of the challenge is the extortionate cost of transport. By introducing cheaper bus and train fares we can encourage people to make the switch to greener alternatives and to leave their car at home.

“That’s what we did when the Scottish Greens secured free bus travel for everyone under 22, which has seen over 700,000 young people taking over 150 million free journeys.

“We also secured the removal of peak rail fares for 12 months, boosting rail travel and saving regular commuters hundreds of pounds. The SNP’s decision to reintroduce peak fares was the wrong decision at the wrong time.

“If we are to discourage car use in short journeys then we need to make it easier to be green. That means investing in walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure and boosting local transport options.

“We all benefit from safer and more accessible streets and cleaner air. I want that for every community in Scotland, and reducing the number of cars is a crucial step to getting there.”