A radical revamp of public transport would help the UK to meet net zero targets, improve quality of life and boost the economy by some £52bn, according to a new report.

The report calls for an 80% mileage increase in journeys by rail and 120% mileage increase in journeys by bus and tram

Produced for the Trades Union Congress (TUC) by specialist consultancy Transport for Quality of Life, the report sets out an investment plan for public transport across England and Wales that it says would deliver in all areas.

According to the TUC, 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 that the Committee on Climate Change says is necessary.

The committee has warned that electric vehicles must not be the sole focus to meet net zero in transport and action is also needed on demand and a modal shift – something the RAC Foundation has also said.

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 of reducing car mileage travelled by 20% by 2030, announced in its Climate Change Plan update in 2020.

The new TUC report sets out how it can be achieved in England (not including London) and Wales.

• Its plan is based on the combination of:
• 10% car mileage reduction through car-sharing and measures that reduce travel, such as working from home, remote technologies and better planning and land use.
• 10% car mileage reduction from a modal shift to public transport.
• 120% mileage increase in journeys by bus and tram.
• 80% mileage increase in journeys by rail.

The plan would require an average of £9.9bn 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.

But the investment would bring wide-ranging societal and economic benefits, the report suggests. This includes creating high-quality jobs in transport and manufacturing and boosting  annual GDP by £52bn by 2030 through productivity gains, such as faster and cheaper journeys to work for commuters.

It will also extend social and economic inclusion by enabling easier travel to public services, retail, leisure, family and friends, according to those involved.

And the work could bring health benefits compared to cars, as public transport journeys tend to include walking or cycling to access services.

The TUC has called on ministers and transport authorities to consult the public about how to extend and upgrade public transport services where they live and work.

General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “Everyone knows that we have to cut carbon emissions – and that switching to public transport is a big part of how do it.”

He added: “With this report, we’ve done the work that Conservative ministers should have done with their empty and incompetent Net Zero Strategy.”

To access the TUC report, click here.