3.1. Reduce private vehicle dominance
The importance of getting people to choose alternatives to private vehicles
Effectively integrating different transport modes in a way that is simple and cost effective for the end user is key to tackling the prevalence of private vehicle journeys in Scotland.
Currently, private vehicles are seen as a relatively cheap and convenient way of getting around. For most people, cost and convenience are two of the most crucial considerations when choosing how to make a journey. Therefore, to encourage people out of private cars, more sustainable modes of transport need to be made attractive from a cost and convenience perspective. This may mean introducing interventions that make private vehicles more expensive or less convenient, alongside interventions that make more sustainable transport modes less expensive or more convenient.
Getting significant portions of Scotland’s population to reject the private vehicle as their primary mode of transport will require a major cultural shift in mindset. The availability of accessible and affordable mobility hubs will be vital in supporting this shift.
