MPs ask how will we travel post-pandemic?

Commons' Transport Committee looks at how public transport will recover from coronavirus

The House of Commons Transport Select Committee has launched an inquiry into how public transport could be reformed after the pandemic.

The MPs' inquiry will take a holistic look at how public transport is changing and the implications for current government strategies including the Williams Rail Review, bus strategy, walking and cycling, taxis and private hire vehicles. 

The committee is inviting written evidence on the extent that the coronavirus pandemic could, and should, be used as an opportunity to reform public transport for the longer-term.

It is particularly interested in the long-term implications of the pandemic for:

• the use of public transport and the way that people choose to travel, both locally and for longer domestic journeys
• central and local governmental transport priorities and finances and funding for transport
• the devolution of transport policy-making responsibilities and powers
• the resilience of the transport system for future crises
• the decarbonisation of transport and the capability to meet net zero carbon emissions targets by 2050
• innovation and technological reform within transport.

The committee will also look at how governments and transport authorities in other countries are responding to similar challenges. However, international travel is not included within the remit of this inquiry.

Committee chair Huw Merriman said: “The actions of central and local government in response to the crisis could, and perhaps should, influence how people choose how to travel in the longer term. As more people work from home, shop online and choose to walk, cycle or drive, policy makers will need to reimagine how the transport system works. It also presents a chance to explore reforms and technological innovations that may shape the future of transport in the UK and beyond.

The deadline for submissions is Thursday 24 September 2020.

Merriman added: ”The pandemic could prove a unique opportunity to build a better, more sustainable transport system, which helps to meet the Government’s target to achieve net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.”

The Transport Committee is one of the six commissioning select committees of Climate Assembly UK, which will publish its full report in September.