Easington MP Grahame Morris helped launch a national campaign to get people back on board public transport.

The Way Forward campaign, launched by sustainable transport charity Campaign for Better Transport, is calling on the Government to support public transport by actively encouraging people to use buses, trains, coaches and trams as restrictions ease, and introducing an incentive scheme to help boost passenger numbers as part of a national plan to place public transport at the heart of a green recovery.

Grahame Morris MP, said: “Frequent and affordable public transport should be at the heart of a green covid recovery. Over the last decade, public transport has been neglected by the Government, particularly in the regions. The lack of investment in public transport is clear. The Transport Minister needs to explain why funding is being directed to London and the South East, at a time when the Government have promised to level up the economy. The disparity in public transport is a national scandal, and the Government need to explain why they have failed to invest in our region over the last decade.”

Paul Tuohy, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said: “The events of the last year have made people less confident about using public transport, but as restrictions continue to ease, we all need to start getting back on board. That’s why we’ve launched this campaign to urge the Government to reassure people that public transport is safe again and to introduce a national scheme of discounted fares to encourage people to use it. By getting back on board we can all help to reduce congestion, protect the environment and boost the economy in a way that is fair and sustainable.”

As more workplaces, shops and businesses reopen in the coming months, campaigners argue it will be crucial that people return to public transport to avoid increased congestion and air pollution, and help communities recover. To protect public transport services both now and in the long term, and encourage people back on board, The Way Forward campaign is calling on the Government to:

· Lead the way with a national campaign that encourages people to see public transport as a safe way to travel and to launch an incentive scheme that helps to get people back on board

· Continue the emergency financial support for public transport services until passenger numbers have recovered

· Place public transport at the heart of a green recovery with a passenger-centred approach to getting people back on board. Public transport needs to evolve to suit new ways of working and living to offer a genuine alternative to the private car. It needs to be easier and simpler to pay for with contactless payments as standard and multi-modal tickets that can be used on buses and trains, and more affordable with flexible tickets that fit new travel patterns

· Protect services and renew the public transport system by restoring lost rail links and reconnecting communities to the network.