London leads the way in modal shift towards public transport

Not only has London witnessed a massive shift towards public transport over the last two decades, its burgeoning population is continually driving up total journey numbers and posing enormous challenges for the future.

John W. E. Helm

24 January 2014

Modal split, daily journey stages, showing percentages, 2012

Different growth rates by different modes

London’s modal shift from private to public transport, cycling and walking continues apace, and is the main theme behind TfL’s annual Travel in London publication now in its sixth year. The 250-page document – which generally reflects the 2012 calendar year and the 2012/13 financial year – says that journey stages in the capital by private transport have declined from 46% in 1993 to 33% in 2012, whereas those made by public transport have increased from 30% to 44% during...