Transport Journalists Say Integrate Track With Train

The Government should shy away from policies that would expand Britain's motorways, and concentrate on rail and air links -- according to new research by MORI among the country's top transport journalists.

Three-quarters of Britain's transport press are dissatisfied with the government's current transport policies, believing more investment should be given to public transport and stronger action taken to implement the now defunct 10 year plan.

The 2004 report, part of MORI's programme of regular multi-sponsored studies among key audiences, shows almost two-thirds (64%) oppose policies that would expand the motorway network, whilst seven in eight (86%) think there should be closer integration between track and train.

But whilst one in five (18%) feel local rail services have improved in the past five years, three in five (59%) say local services are worse.

MORI conducted face-to-face interviews with 36 transport journalists, covering 22 national/major regional writers, 12 local journalists and 2 rail specialists.

The report reveals some cynicism among top transport journalists about the Government's transport policies. One said: "I don't think there is any a clear plan or objectives. There isn't enough emphasis on reducing traffic in terms of congestion and also, in terms of rail, no clear strategy for improving rail services in the long run and getting people out of cars."

Another commented: "They'd set out an agenda, through the transport White Paper in '98 and the 10 year plan, and already it seems to have slipped into irrelevance."

MORI's Carole Lehman, Head of Transport Research, said: "Our regular multi-sponsored studies among key audiences are always revealing, as we are speaking with people whose job it is to watch one issue very closely. Journalists have strong influence over most stakeholders, so their opinions matter".

"This work among Britain's top transport journalists shows a real belief in rail travel, but only if the government is willing to invest. They feel it unreasonable to expect British people to abandon their cars until a suitable rail service is available."

At the RAIL awards dinner, MORI and Rail Magazine presented an award for the most impressive press office/ communications department in the Rail Industry to Chris Rumfitt of Network Rail, as nominated by this year's sample of over 30 journalists.

Chris and his team have shown that even in a company where the press coverage is not always positive, it is possible to build good press relations. As one journalist said "They're quite open and prepared to respond to bad publicity but they also will give us positive stories".

Technical details

This report presents the findings of the 2004 study of Transport Journalists, part of MORI's programme of regular multi-sponsored studies among key audiences. MORI conducted face-to-face interviews with 36 journalists (covering 22 national/major regional writers, 12 local journalists and 2 rail specialists) between 22 April 2004 to 19 May 2004.