Travelwise NI Looks To Encourage People To Leave Their Cars At Home In The North

With a record number of cars on the road and growing levels of traffic congestion, the Minister became the first person in the North to endorse the 'Travelwise Pledge', in continuing steps to encourage commuters to swap their car for other modes of transport such as walking, car-sharing, bus, train or bicycle, for one journey each week.

The launch of the Travelwise Pledge marks the start of Travelwise Week where local authorities and the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and the north of Ireland are promoting sustainable transport as an alternative to the car.

Minister Murphy said that he hoped many other commuters would follow his lead.

Speaking at the launch in Newry, he said: "We are spending more time in our cars now than ever before which means that we are also spending more time stuck in congestion.

"Research carried out by Travelwise has shown that people who commute in and out of Belfast by car spend, on average, the equivalent of a full working day travelling to and from work each week.

"With schools now open, commuters will be finding the journeys they were making only a few days ago will now in many cases take twice as long.

"It is staggering how many cars on the road contain just one person.

"The Travelwise survey suggests that some 69% of commuters travel alone in the car.

"But our love affair with the car goes beyond the commute to and from work.

"We now use our cars more for unnecessary and shorter journeys, whether it's just down the road to see friends or go to the shops when we could walk instead.

"By supporting the Travelwise pledge, I am giving my commitment to encouraging a reduction in car journeys and I will be inviting my Executive colleagues and fellow MLAs to set an example and endorse the Pledge also.

"I appreciate public transport may not suit everybody but I would encourage people to also consider the car-sharing option. Car sharing saves time, money and benefits the environment and our health," he concluded.

The Travelwise NI survey also showed that of the sample of 500 respondents who drive to central Belfast every day, only 52% of respondents said they required their car for work which means that 48% of car commuters simply drive to work, park their car and drive home again.

Commenting on the findings Brian Moreland, Head of Travelwise NI said: "While it is startling to think that many of us are spending the equivalent of an extra working day in the car trying to get to and from work each week we find it encouraging that 45% of those respondents who do not currently car share said they would like to and our Travelwise NI Car Share initiative will help them to get started.

"As well as the environment, health and financial benefits of leaving the car at home, people using public transport can take some time for themselves and read a book or newspaper on the way to the office.

"With so many people becoming more environmentally aware I would urge them to take the Travelwise Pledge and reduce the number of car journeys they make each week."

The Travelwise NI campaign is encouraging commuters to consider the alternatives to being stuck in traffic by trying sustainable transport options such as car-sharing, public transport or depending on the distance walking and cycling are healthy and cheap alternatives.