CAPTURING THE CAR USER: THE POTENTIAL OF PARK AND RIDE

This paper examines the results of an experimental bus based 'Park and Ride' scheme operating in the City of Plymouth. The scheme has been introduced at a time when parking charges in the city centre more than doubled for long-stay spaces and 'free on- street' parking in the city centre has been gradually eliminated in favour of a residents only parking scheme. Before and after studies have been carried out to evaluate the impact of these changes to parking charges and parking supply on individuals travel behaviour, in particular those who commute. Furthermore, surveys on the 'park'n ride' service have been carried out to establish the extent to which such a service has provided an adequate alternative to parking in the city centre. Central Government and local government alike are pursuing the aim of reducing car usage in cities by luring the public back onto public transport. However, it is unrealistic to expect car users to give up their cars entirely, but there is a point at which, from some journeys like commuting to/from work, the car user will consider public transport to be cheaper and more convenient. The greatest potential for achieving this switch is 'park'n ride' whereby the flexibility of driving from one's home is combined with easily accessible free parking on the edge of the city centre. The relative attractiveness of the 'park'n ride' system is determined by the level of service provided and car user's perception of the cost and difficulty of parking in the city centre. Existing 'park'n ride' systems including evidence from the Tyne and Wear Metro has shown that on their own, they have had little impact on traffic levels into the city centre. Therefore 'park'n ride' cannot be seen to offer a solution to the problem of congestion, unless it forms part of an integral traffic demand-management strategy. An evaluation of an integrated transportation policy for Plymouth City including further expansion of the 'park'n ride' concept, including the potential of using water- buses has been carried out. An evaluation of travel along corridors where 'park'n ride' is being considered is being undertaken to pursue in more detail the extent to which a switch in mode to 'park'n ride' would occur given varying levels of services. (A) For the covering abstract of the seminar see IRRD 859831.