Changes in modes of travel

The table shows the changes in British’s modes of travel during the 15-year period from 1985 to 2000. Here we will look at the main features and average distance travelled per person in the two different years.

The total distance by all modes in 1985 and 2000 were 4,740 and 6,475 respectively. In the two years, car was the most popular mode of travel in England, with the average distance in miles travelled per person per year increased from 3,199 to 4,806, an increase of more than 50%. The most dramatic increase was seen in taxi, with the number in 2000 three times that in 1985. Long distance bus also saw a significant boost, the 2000 level two times the 1985 level.

There were also some modes of travel that decreased during the period, including walking, bicycle and local bus, with the last one most eminent, dropping from 429 in 1985 to 274 in 2000.