Saturday, March 9, 2024
A substantial 64% of global respondents support the prohibition of short-haul flights when faster rail alternatives are available, as revealed by an extensive survey conducted by Hitachi Rail. The research, executed by SavantaComres, involved 12,000 participants from 12 diverse cities worldwide, including Berlin, Copenhagen, Dubai, London, Milan, Paris, San Francisco, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, Warsaw, and Washington D.C. This marks the second consecutive year Hitachi Rail has initiated such a study.
The findings provide valuable insights to policymakers, transport operators, and urban planners on the factors influencing individuals’ choices for urban and intercity travel.
The study indicates a strong preference for greener options for long-distance journeys (over 2.5 hours), with 46% of people preferring to drive, 34% choosing trains, and 16% flying. However, these preferences are not fixed, with a significant portion of respondents (35%) anticipating a shift towards more train travel within the next five years. Additionally, there’s a notable inclination towards financing greener travel initiatives, with 56% favoring increased air taxes to support the development of high-speed rail infrastructure.
The research underscores the critical role of enhancing green public transportation to achieve carbon emissions reduction and meet Net Zero goals. It highlights that 63% of those who usually travel long distances by car or plane would switch to trains if the travel time were reduced by an hour, and 75% would switch if it were more cost-effective.
Although only 14% of respondents consider sustainability a major factor in their travel decisions, there is broad support for legislative measures promoting eco-friendly travel. This includes a significant majority (64%) in favor of banning short-haul flights where high-speed rail options are available, with the highest support (75%) coming from France, reflecting its recent policy implementation in this area.
Expanding Urban Public Transportation
In urban areas, personal vehicles continue to be the primary means of transportation for many, although alternative modes like trains and buses are gaining popularity. This surge, seen over the last year, marks a significant recovery from the pandemic, with public transportation ridership increasing by about one-third. Currently, 60% of trips are made by car, yet an equal percentage of journeys also incorporate different forms of transport.
What obstacles must be overcome to encourage more public transport use? The primary deterrent for potential users is overcrowding, cited by 49% (a slight increase from the previous year) of respondents. Interestingly, concerns related to Covid-19, once a significant factor, have notably decreased as a concern, dropping from 42% to 16%. Moreover, 78% of participants would be more inclined to use public transport if they could avoid crowded conditions. This preference varies with age, being more pronounced among the younger demographic (84% of those aged 18-24) compared to older individuals (63% of those 65 and older).
The future outlook for public transport is optimistic, with 72% expressing a willingness to use it more if the network were better integrated. This sentiment varies widely across cities, from 87% in Dubai, 85% in Milan and Warsaw, to a lesser extent in Washington D.C. (56%) and Copenhagen (57%). Even with potential cost increases, 49% globally favor enhancing the connectivity of public transport systems.
Giuseppe Marino, CEO of Hitachi Rail, said: “Policy makers and transport operators must take note of the high demand for better connected public transport. Almost two-thirds of people are prepared to see short haul flights banned where high speed rail alternatives exist, and 56% of people also back increased air taxes to fund high speed rail.
“Our new research shows that there is a genuine demand for more green travel. Over one-third of people expect to travel more by train in the next five years and 72% would use better connected urban transport even more. The challenge now as an industry is to continue to grow seamless and sustainable rail travel at pace to meet this global demand.”
Hitachi Rail is at the forefront of creating integrated, eco-friendly transportation systems both within cities and across international borders. With a comprehensive mastery over all aspects of railway technology, Hitachi Rail leverages its manufacturing prowess and advanced digital signaling capabilities to craft state-of-the-art urban transit options, including the innovative autonomous metro systems in Milan and Copenhagen. The company is also a trailblazer in high-speed rail technology, exemplified by the legendary Shinkansen Bullet Train in Japan and the ETR1000, which offers passengers a smooth, environmentally friendly journey throughout Italy, Spain, and France.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
