Brussels, 08/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - Six out of ten Europeans believe that air transport has improved in the last five years. However, they are more divided over the improvement of the railways and roads in Europe. On these, congestion and lack of maintenance are cited as the main concerns.
Mixed picture of land transport. A Eurobarometer survey published on Monday 8 December on the quality of transport in Europe shows that six out of ten Europeans are dissatisfied with it, even though cars continue to be the most common mode of transport for the citizens (around 60% of them). Drivers are split (with roughly 40% in each camp) on the improvement of the state of the roads over the last five years. Around 20% of them take the view that the situation remains unchanged. In Cyprus, Ireland and Croatia, drivers are the most satisfied with improvements to the road network. Around half of all Europeans believe that improving road maintenance and adopting a zero tolerance approach to drink-driving is a priority in improving road safety. Barely one in five believes that traffic information has a part to play in making the roads safer. The respondents were divided over the idea of a constant connection to allow smart traffic management (38% are in favour under certain conditions, and 41% are opposed to the idea). Europeans are also divided over rail transport, with 34% of respondents feeling that this has improved in recent years, compared to 27% who believe that it has grown worse. The main shortcomings of rail continue to be ticket prices (46%), punctuality (33%) and the lack of connections and maintenance (21% each).
Air has the upper hand. Air transport came in for considerably more praise from the Europeans, as 60% of them believe air travel has improved in the last five years. The Irish, Greeks, Cypriots, Maltese and Croatians are the most enthusiastic. The price of airline tickets is the main concern of travellers (37%). The question of pollution, range of destinations on offer and public transport connections are of far less concern to them (around 15% each). (MD)