Environmental Audit Committee calls for big investment plan for public transport

RMT welcomes Environmental Audit Committee’s calls for big investment plan for public transport

Commenting on the Environmental Audit Committee’s report ‘Growing Back Better’, published today, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:

“The Committee has rightly recognised the vital role that the UK’s public transport network has in our economic recovery from Covid-19 and in meeting our carbon reduction goals and recommends that the Government set out in its forthcoming transport decarbonisation strategy ‘what plans it has for substantial long-term investment in better public transport’.

“RMT believes it is vital that the Government invests in creating an affordable, integrated, reliable, accessible and expanded public transport network, in order to enable the significant shifts away from private cars that are necessary if we are to meet our carbon reduction targets. 

“It would, of course, be disastrous, environmentally, if the Covid-19 pandemic pushed more people into cars. As recent research from passenger watchdog Transport Focus has shown, the presence of staff is essential to making passengers feel safe and secure on trains and staff will play a vital role in restoring passenger confidence in public transport after the pandemic.

“The Government must invest in a fully staffed public transport network that recognises the vital role these key workers play in making public transport safe, secure and accessible for all.”