Scottish Household Survey – Transport and Travel in Scotland 2016

This annual survey looking at transport in Scotland shows that two thirds of commuters (67%) drove to work in 2016 – a year-on-year rise of 1.1%.

Looking at longer term trends, the number of people driving to work has fallen by 1% since 2007.

The survey also reveals that 30.6% of journeys to work in 2016 were made by public transport or active travel, a year-on-year fall of 0.8% – but up 0.9% compared with 2007.

Focussing on active travel, the percentage of people walking to work fell by 2% to 12% in 2016, while the number cycling to work rose by 2% to 3%.

With regard to travelling to school, 51.8% of children walked in 2016 – a 3% year-on-year rise. However, the figure remains 1% lower than in 2007.

25.6% of children were driven to school (either by car or van) – a year-on-year fall of 0.2%, but 3.7% above the 2007 figure. 1.4% of pupils cycled to school, up 0.2% on 2015 and 0.6% on 2007.

In general, driving (car or van) continues to dominate, totalling more than half of journeys made for the first time since 2010. The figure of 50.6% also represents a year-on-year increase of 0.9%.

Similarly, the estimated volume of traffic on Scotland’s roads was at its highest ever. 46.4bn vehicle kilometres were travelled in 2016 – a year-on-year increase and slightly above the previous peak in 2007 (44.7bn).

The number of journeys made by foot also rose in 2016, up 1.9% to 23.5% – the highest level since 2012. Cycling trips remained at the same level (1.2%) – 0.5% higher than 2007.