Sustainable transport to dominate in 2023 as public pledges to use more shared and public transport
Updated: Dec 4, 2022
Over half of the UK public plan to increase their use of sustainable transport choices in 2023 - as a way to cut spending and look after the planet, according to new research by FREE NOW, Europe’s Mobility Super App.
Almost a third say that sustainable transport - including shared mobility and public transport - are more important in the wake of the Cost of Living Crisis.
The findings are revealed in the UK’s top five transport resolutions, released by FREE NOW and show a marked shift in travel priorities across the UK where micromobility including electric bikes and e-scooters, as well as ride-hailing and lift-sharing have been increasing in popularity. Europe’s Mobility Super App FREE NOW has seen a 200% growth in shared mobility usage in 2022 alone.
The UK’s top five transport resolutions
Use more public transport: 37% of people said they will rely on public transport more in 2023
Use more shared mobility: People plan to travel in different ways with 14% pledging to use shared mobility more with FREE NOW reporting a 200% growth in shared mobility usage in 2022 alone
Cut spending on transport: More than half of 18-35-year-olds are planning to reduce spending on all forms of transport in 2023, including cars
Consider living without a private car: Almost half of young people think they could live without a car by using cabs, private hire vehicles, e-scooters and e-bikes
Go Electric: More than one in ten (14%) are going to replace their car to a new, cleaner model such as an electric car (EV) or hybrid.
FREE NOW’s findings are revealed following a year in which the company stepped up its sustainability. Whilst overall trips have increased 32% this year, nearly three-quarters (74%) of those trips have taken place in electrified vehicles, as part of FREE NOW’s efforts to become an all-electric platform by 2025. There has been a significant increase in EV drivers coming onto the platform this year, up 120%. FREE NOW offers a £2,000 subsidy to help drivers make the switch to an EV - both for black cab drivers and private hire vehicles.
Mariusz Zabrocki, General Manager UK at FREE NOW, said: “Sustainability is increasingly an important topic to both the general public and FREE NOW drivers. Already this year we’ve seen a 200% increase in micromobility usage on the platform and nearly three-quarters of all taxi and private hire tours were done with electrified vehicles. This is only set to continue in 2023 with more people pledging to prioritise sustainable transport in their daily lives, with FREE NOW on hand to support them in any way they like to travel.”
