Cars preferred for domestic trips

22 March 2010

Four in five long-distance domestic trips in the UK are made by car and are mostly for pleasure, a latest report has revealed.

Of these 50-mile plus journeys, 28% are to visit friends or relatives, 21% are for leisure or holidays, 20% for business and 10% for commuting, according to the Independent Transport Commission (ITC).

The report, compiled from two studies that looked at long-distance travel in Britain, also revealed 12% of Britons take rail for long-distance journeys, while 6% opt for coach and 4% travel by air.

It noted that half of all domestic air travel is for business, while two in five long-distance rail journeys are for business or commuting.

Rail travel could significantly reduce in the future if green cars take off, the study suggested.

The ITC found congestion has more impact on long-distance car journeys than income or motoring costs, while rail trips for business and commuting are greatly influenced by income.

The number of people opting for longer journeys could grow at a faster pace than shorter ones if prosperity over the next 20 years increases, but there are chances of having the opposite effect if the recession continues.

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