10 million British workers abandoned by public transport

• Over 10 million (a fifth) of UK adults can’t commute by public transport
• One and a half million people have to use three or more buses, trains or trams to get to their town centre
• Over one million adults across the UK admit the lack of cleanliness on public transport puts them off using the service 
• Welsh residents struggle most with public transport, with 30 per cent saying they would be unable to get to work without driving
   

New research1 from Direct Line Car Insurance reveals the reasons behind the UK’s continued reliance on the car for travelling to work or the local town centre.  The new study has shown that a fifth of Brits (10,601,633 people2) would be unable to get to work using only public transport. 

One in ten adults (ten per cent) say they would be unable to get to their nearest town centre by public transport, while a further one and a half million people need to use three or more modes of public transport to get into town. Over nine million Brits (18 per cent) can’t access their local supermarket without a car and one in seven (14 per cent) would not be able to visit the doctor if they had to rely on public transport.  These difficulties are likely to be among the reasons why almost eight million Brits rate their local public transport links as unsatisfactory3.

Welsh workers have the hardest time commuting without a car, with nearly a third (30 per cent) saying they can’t get to work by relying solely on public transport. People living in Northern Ireland also struggle with their commute, with 27 per cent admitting they would be unable to get to the office without a car, while a quarter of those in the South West (25 per cent) depend solely on driving. Londoners have the easiest journey to work using public transport, with a mere 11 per cent finding it challenging without the use of a car.
 

Table one: Regional ability to get to work without a car

Source:  Direct Line Car Insurance 2017
 

Travelling by train is out of reach for many, with more than six million Brits (12 per cent) living more than five miles away from their nearest railway station. On average, people in the East Midlands live the furthest from their closest station, with the typical resident facing a 3.2 mile trek to the train. Londoners, on the other hand, have the closest access (1.25 miles).

In spite of the common view of Londoners constantly complaining about the tube, people in the capital are in fact the happiest with their local transport links.  Nearly two thirds (62 per cent) of those living in London rate them as excellent or very good, nearly twice the national average of 35 per cent. Meanwhile, residents in the East of England are the most dissatisfied, with 26 per cent rating their transport links as poor, very poor or terrible.
 

Table two: Regional Ranking of Transport Links

Source: Direct Line Car Insurance 2017
 

Some people, however, just don’t like using public transport. In terms of the reasons why, a fifth (20 per cent) are discouraged by the expense, and 16 per cent are put off by the lack of service. Over one million adults across the UK admit that the lack of cleanliness on public transport is what deters them from using the service. 

Rob Miles, director of Car Insurance at Direct Line, commented: “This research shows that while public transport has improved in many areas, there are still perceived issues with accessibility, reliability and quality in some places. This makes a large number of people dependent on their car to make short but vital trips, such as going to work, dropping the children off at school or visiting the supermarket. It is, therefore, essential that people ensure their cars are well-maintained and properly insured in case of any issues or accidents.”
 

ENDS

Notes to Editor

1Research conducted by Opinium amongst 2,002 UK adults between 15 and 18 September 2017. The sample has been weighted to reflect a nationally representative audience.

• 220 per cent of respondents multiplied by 51,767,000 UK adults = 10,601,633
• 315 per cent of respondents rated public transport links in their area as “poor”, “very poor” or “terrible”, multiplied by 51,767,000 UK adults = 7,757,293
• 4Rated public transport links in their area as “poor”, “very poor” or “terrible”
• 5Rated public transport links in their area as “good”, “very good” or “excellent”
  
  

For further information, please contact:

Chloe French 

PR Manager 

Direct Line Group

Tel: 01651 831 715

Email: Chloe.French@directlinegroup.co.uk

Antonia Green

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Tel: 0207 282 2967

Email: Antonia.Green@citigatedewerogerson.com

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.
 

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com