Public transport upgrade for net zero targets can deliver a £2.9 billion productivity boost in the South West by 2030
Productivity gains would boost annual GDP by £52 billion by 2030 in England and Wales, including £2.9 billion in the South West
Meeting net zero emissions in transport will “improve the quality of everyone’s lives”, says TUC
A new TUC report published today (Wednesday) sets out an investment plan for public transport across England and Wales to meet net zero targets, improve quality of life, and boost the UK economy.
The TUC says that the plan fills a gaping hole in the government’s recently published net-zero strategy, which failed to explain how it will achieve the ‘modal shift’ away from car use that the Committee on Climate Change says is necessary.
The report includes a section on the investment needed in the South West and the benefits it will bring. (Pages 72-74)
Overview of plan
The investment plan published today – produced for the TUC by Transport for Quality of life – is designed to meet the UK’s target to cut emissions by 68% by 2030 (from 1990 levels).
Transition to electric cars is vital, but not enough. The UK Climate Change Committee warns that: “Electric vehicles must not be the sole focus, with action also needed on demand and a modal shift.”
To reach the 2030 emissions target, a reduction in total car mileage of at least 20% is needed.
The Scottish government has already set a target to achieve this reduction. Today’s report sets out how it can be achieved in England (not including London) and Wales, including across the South West region, based on a combination of:
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10% car mileage reduction through measures that reduce travel, such as car sharing, working from home, remote technologies and better planning and land use.
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10% car mileage reduction from a modal shift to public transport.
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120% mileage increase in journeys by bus and tram.
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80% mileage increase in journeys by rail.
The plan would require an average of £9.9 billion in annual capital expenditure up to 2035. And the additional operating costs for expanded bus, tram and rail services would reach £18.8bn annually by 2030.
Economic and social benefits
Productivity gains:
The plan is estimated to boost annual GDP by £52.1 billion in England and Wales through productivity gains, including £2.9 billion in the South West.
This estimate is based on productivity comparisons with European population centres that have better public transport provision than the UK.
Further GDP gains:
The investment plan will generate GDP growth from construction work and supply chains through the period of capital expenditure to 2035.
In less urbanised areas where the estimated productivity gains are lower due to the nature of industry, the investment plan can support growth in sectors like the arts and culture, tourism and hospitality, and core public services like health and social care where recruitment and retention are in crisis, says the TUC.
Job creation in the South West:
9,000 new jobs would be created working directly in bus operation.
And a further 87,000 jobs would be created in manufacture, construction, and infrastructure for buses up to 2035.
An additional 9,000 jobs would also be created in rail operation and 241,000 jobs would be supported in rail construction, although they cannot all be considered ‘new’ jobs as change on this scale would result in movement across the labour market.
Social benefits:
In 2020, a fifth of UK households had no access to a car, rising to 35% in the lowest income bracket.
This plan will extend social and economic inclusion by increasing routes and reducing journey time, aiding journeys for accessing work, public services, retail, leisure, family, and friends.
Public transport use has health benefits compared to cars, as journeys tend to include walking or cycling to access services.
New public transport services
The TUC believes that UK people should be consulted by transport authorities on how this investment should be allocated to extend and upgrade services where they live and work.
However, public transport extension and upgrades that the TUC supports, and which could be delivered within the funding envelope of this plan, include:
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Investment in cross-county rail and bus networks in the South West
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Electrification of the South West rail network
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Reopening the Southern mainline between Exeter, Okehampton and Plymouth
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Establishing stronger rail and bus networks between Dorset and the rest of the South West region.
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An hourly bus service for every village, including during weekends
TUC Regional Secretary for the South West Ines Lage said:
"Everyone knows that we have to cut carbon emissions – and that switching to public transport is a big part of how do it. With this report, we’ve done the work that Conservative ministers should have done with their empty and incompetent net zero strategy.
"Investing in public transport in the South West will help us meet net zero targets and reduce the threat of catastrophic climate change. And it creates jobs, boosts the economy in every community, and improves everyone’s quality of life.
“Commuters will have faster and cheaper journeys to work. New connections will bring new businesses to places where people need economic opportunities. We will save lives with cleaner air. And we will reduce loneliness and isolation by making everyone better connected, wherever you live.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Public transport for the climate emergency – full report: The report was written for the TUC by Transport for Quality of Life. Full copies can be downloaded here: https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-04/PublicTransportForTheClimateEmergency_.pdf
- Why London is not included: The Mayor of London has set ambitious targets for the capital to reach net zero emissions by 2030, compared to the UK target year of 2050. This will require progress on a faster scale than covered by the methodology in this report. For a longer explanation of London’s needs, and the reasons for excluding it from the calculations, see pages 20-21 of the report.
- About the TUC: The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together the 5.5 million working people who make up our 48 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.
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