Brits turn to trains due to rising car costs

New research from TransPennine Express (TPE) found that half (49%) of drivers are seriously worried about the increase in petrol, car insurance and car tax.

In fact, more than a third (38%) say that if these costs continue to rise they will be forced to stop driving.

Shockingly, five per cent of UK drivers – two million car owners – have already stopped driving this year because they simply cannot afford to get behind the wheel.

The new research was revealed by the rail operator as more than half (52%) of Brits say that their confidence in the railway is improving, a form of travel that Brits could switch to permanently if car costs increase further.

Kathryn O'Brien, Customer Experience and Transformation Director at TPE, said: “We could be on the precipice of a huge transformation in the way we travel according to our latest research. Car running costs are increasing year on year, faster than the rate of inflation and they’re that high that it’s forcing them off the road.”

With TPE offering regular journeys to fantastic northern destinations, such as Manchester to Liverpool, for as little as £3.80*, it’s not hard to see why drivers might make the switch.

Worryingly 17-24 year-olds are being impacted most, with the average car insurance quote rising by an astonishing £688.

Further research from TPE reveals that more than a quarter (28%) will now switch from driving to travel by train, and this percentage is set to increase as 13% of drivers say that if costs don’t come down they will stop driving forever.

Kathryn added: “Our affordable prices mean that if Brits want to make the switch and start travelling by train, they can sit back, relax and make the most of our modern, clean and comfortable trains without watching the pennies as they get behind the wheel.”

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) compared per passenger emission data from rail business routes in Britain with the equivalent per-passenger emission data for the same trip by car.

According to its research across 100 routes, it has been measured that the train is almost nine times greener than using a petrol or diesel car​, more than four times greener than using a plug-in hybrid electric car​ and almost two-and-a-half times greener than using a battery electric car.

Providing a reliable and stable service for customers is a priority for TPE and the rail operator is committed to connecting communities and providing opportunities for growth, whilst ensuring that customers’ needs are always put first.

TPE has some fantastic prices on journeys to fantastic northern and Scottish destinations, such as Manchester to Edinburgh for just £23.40*, Manchester to Newcastle for £23.40* and Manchester to Cleethorpes for as little as £16.50*.