Building on the National Sustainable Mobility Policy
Local Authorities are best placed to implement mobility solutions suited to the needs of their localities. The recently published National Sustainable Mobility Policy recognises the role of multi modal and shared transport in Ireland. We encourage its swift implementation, and we encourage all local authorities to engage with private mobility operators to ensure a coherent, uniform approach is taken throughout Ireland, particularly when it comes to the establishment of shared mobility trials.
MPI welcome the National Sustainable Mobility Policy and its accompanying action plan to 2025 which contains actions to improve and expand sustainable mobility options across the country by providing safe, sustainable, accessible, and efficient alternatives to private car journeys. MPI also welcome the inclusion of demand management and behavioral change measures to manage daily travel demand more efficiently and to reduce the journeys taken by private car, making active travel a more appealing option. Furthermore, we welcome the Government’s commitment to proactively engage with industry stakeholders through its National Sustainability Mobility Forum and call for a balanced representation of sustainable, shared mobility operators.
We recommend that:
The Government works with industry to develop formal guidance for local authorities on how to implement the policies proposed by the Sustainable Mobility Policy. This could be part of the remit of the National Sustainability Mobility Forum.
There is an annual review of the progress made in addressing the proposals of the strategy by the government.
In addition to the National Sustainable Mobility Policy, the government should develop a rural mobility strategy that sets out how the future of mobility will work for the whole of Ireland, not just urban areas.
The government should create a business travel and commuting guidance policy that considers:
Alternatives to the use of private vehicles for business travel with mileage reimbursement (‘greyfleet’).
The use of fiscal policy to incentivise the provision of multi-modal transport to employees.
The content of business travel policies and how these policies can support a shift away from private vehicle travel.
The procurement of transport solutions by the public sector.
