News

Transport East has published the results of the region’s first-ever regional travel behaviour survey. This landmark survey demonstrates how residents across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Southend-On-Sea, and Thurrock regularly travel, the reasons for choosing a mode of transport and barriers which could be preventing them from alternative options.  

With nearly 4,000 responses, the results provide an invaluable evidence base to support future growth and transport planning across the East. 

The survey, conducted in spring 2024, asked residents about their regular travel modes including walking, driving, cycling, and using public transport, and reveals the percentage of people using these modes and the factors shaping these choices. Respondents also highlighted various barriers to adopting alternative travel methods – offering perspectives on issues such a cost, frequency, reliability and safety – which create challenges to choosing more sustainable modes of travel. 

Information on commuting habits, how views on health, climate change and the environment inform travel choices, and thoughts on policies used in other regions, such as congestion or emission-based charging were also revealed.  

Some notable outcomes from respondents include: 

• Walking is the most used mode of transport for respondents 

• 23% use the bus, making it the most popular mode of public transport  

• 63% choose to drive because it’s convenient 

• Only 20% are satisfied with the condition of roads in their local area 

• Despite 44% of respondents owning a bicycle, only 9% report using it in a typical week 

• 48% of non-train users consider cost the top barrier for not using the train and 45% current train users are dissatisfied with the cost of travel 

• 68% think it is important to make sustainable choices when travelling, yet only 33% consider themselves to be taking sustainable transport options currently 

These insights paint a detailed picture of regional attitudes, which can support the development of solutions to improve transport and travel for communities across the East.  

Transport East will share the survey data with Local Authorities and other partners, to support transport and planning strategies and policies.  

Will Quince, Chair of Transport East, said: 

“The huge amount of information gathered through this survey offers valuable insight into how and why people travel within the East, alongside the challenges they face. As a region that is increasingly critical to the nation’s prosperity, it’s important that everyone has access to transport options that support opportunity and economic growth, reduce carbon emissions, and improve quality of life.  

For the first time, the East has regional-scale travel behaviour insights that not only help shape immediate transport decisions but also support our strategy’s ambitions for sustainable growth and better connections for our diverse communities. This data provides unique evidence to help us and our partners across the region to make the case for future investment.” 

For the full report
For a summary support
For further information on the survey