More needs to be done to make public transport attractive to young people says the South East England Regional Assembly. Only 35% of young people regularly use public transport to help the environment in the South East according to a recent Assembly poll of 11–18 year olds in the region.

“If we are to cut congestion and pollution and develop a more sustainable transport system, public transport has to be made more attractive to young people,”

said Cllr Keith Mitchell, Chairman of the South East England Regional Assembly.

The poll carried out for the Assembly by Ipsos MORI shows young people think that protecting the environment is important and they are particularly keen to recycle paper/rubbish and conserve energy (63% recycle paper at least once a week). However, they do not seem to recognise the link between transport and the environment and are much less likely to use public transport instead of a car for environmental reasons (35% use public transport instead of a car at least once a week).

According to young people, the best ways of improving public transport would be to make it cheaper (36%) and having buses and trains running more frequently (29%).

The survey is one of a range of initiatives being implemented by the Regional Assembly to encourage engagement with the region’s younger residents. The Assembly also welcomes its first youth member this month. Matt Burghes has been elected to the Assembly by the UK Youth Parliament South East to represent the views of young people in the region.

Contacts

Alistair Moses, Assembly PR Executive - 01483 555221

Heather Bolton, Assembly Communications Director - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. The South East England Regional Assembly is the "regional partnership" for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
2. The Regional Assembly is made up of 112 members including elected councillors nominated by the region's local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations) as well as the New Forest National Park Authority.
3. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
• It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
• The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
• The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007