40% Of Drivers Have No Commuting Alternative

According to new research from the RAC, four in ten (40%) motorists believe they have no viable alternative to using their car for commuting. This figure rises significantly to 70% for those residing in rural areas.

Only three in ten (31%) drivers consider taking the bus a practical option for getting to work, increasing to just 50% for those living in town and city centres, where public transport is generally more accessible. This percentage drops to 26% for suburban residents, and it declines further to 11% among rural dwellers.

As a result, the car remains an integral part of daily life for many. A substantial 81% of drivers state they would find it extremely difficult to adjust to living without a vehicle - a proportion that has remained remarkably stable since the RAC first posed this question in 1989.

The data also suggests that reliance on cars increases with age. While 65% of those under 25 say they would struggle without a car, this rises to 77% for those aged 25 to 44. Among 45 to 64-year-olds, the figure increases to 84%, reaching a peak of 86% for those over 65.

When considering specific journey types, nearly two-thirds (63%) of drivers always use their car for commuting. Meanwhile, 57% always drive when grocery shopping, 42% always use their vehicle for taking children to school, nursery, or clubs, and 40% always rely on their car for airport trips. A quarter (26%) consistently drive to mainline railway stations.

In contrast, only a small proportion of drivers choose alternative modes of transport. Just 8% commute by walking, cycling, or using public transport, while a mere 3% use these methods for grocery shopping.

One reason for this high level of car dependency may be that only 29% of drivers see public transport as an appealing alternative—though this has increased from 26% in 2023 and 23% in 2022. Among younger drivers (under 25), the proportion is highest at 41%, while those aged 45 to 65 are the least convinced at 25%.

However, more than half (53%) of drivers said they would reduce their car use if public transport were more convenient, reliable, and affordable. This is a decrease from the peak of 59% recorded in 2019.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Our research shows that the car remains central to so many people’s lives. While those in more rural areas are most car dependent, half of those in urban centres also don’t see public transport as a viable alternative for their daily commute.

“What’s more, while there’s a definite willingness to make greater use of alternatives to the car, driving is still the mode of choice when it comes to running errands or making leisure trips, possibly because drivers see it as the most time and cost-effective option.

“Car dependency also seems to increase with age. Young people clearly have a desire and, in many cases, a need to drive, but the convenience and freedom it brings seems to become more important as the decades pass.

“While the current Government is very focused on improving public transport across the board, we suspect the car will always be essential to many people’s lives.”