The proportion of young people using public transport has fallen from 51 to 43 percent in the last decade. At the same time, their car use has increased from 16 to 24 percent.
In addition, only 23 percent of young people cycle to school, compared to 30 percent in 2016.
The figures appear from an analysis from Danish Industry based on DTU’s Transport Habits Survey.
– We are in the process of producing new young generations, who from the very beginning choose a car and opt out of bicycles and public transport, says industry director Michael Svane from Danish Industry.
– The problem is that they will help to create even greater congestion than we already expect to struggle with.
In the years covered by the analysis, half a million more cars have come on Danish roads. By 2030, forecasts say we will get another 600,000. More and more families have two or three cars.
At the same time, public transport has become more expensive.
– Young people today have many things they need to achieve. When public transport becomes more expensive and has fewer departures, we reap as a society that we have sown. Especially if there is a vacant car in the garage, says Michael Svane.
– But if we all choose the car, it exacerbates the problem that people are already queuing more and more. Today, as a society, we waste 26 billion on queuing every year.
He points to more tailored bus service for young people and more flexibility.
– But especially it must be cheaper for them to use public transport, says Svane.
Patrycja Anna Zieba is a marketing consultant and project manager at the regional bus company Fynbus.
Here, they are already struggling to create a stronger and greener bus culture among young people.
– We must hold on while we have the young people in the shop so that they do not leave us as soon as they can get a driving license, she says
– If we do not succeed, we will start a vicious circle for public transport with declining customer numbers and the potential risk of not being able to maintain good bus service for everyone in the long run, she says.
Source: The Nordic Page