Electric Cars and Beyond: Manchester's Vision for Sustainable Transportation
Traveling without harming the environment has become more and more popular nowadays. Why not experience eco-friendly commuting in the city of Manchester next time you visit? Contribute to the environment wellness and become the user of sustainable transport!
What is sustainable transport?
The modern world is at the edge of an environmental catastrophe, and it is time to change it with modern solutions. A new term called “sustainable transport” refers to vehicles and other transportation aspects which do not impact the environment and human welfare. The level of sustainability relies on the evaluation of transport within particular factors:
Logistics effectiveness;
Road traffic improvement;
Infrastructure convenience (railways, highways, waterways, etc.);
Energy source;
Transport type according to the operation zone (water, air, land);
Impact on climate and environment.
A perfect sustainable vehicle operates without producing greenhouse emissions (carbon dioxide). It must also provide people with a time- and money-efficient commuting process. Implementing such a type of transport is troublesome, but such cities as Greater Manchester have already taken the first steps towards this goal.
Manchester's non-polluting transportation opportunities
Manchester keeps up with the needs of the modern world, so you can already try green transportation in the city. It is possible to find sustainable buses, trains, trams, and electric car hire in Manchester.
Cars
Electric cars in Manchester are not very rare, and you can try this kind of transport for your benefit. Green automobiles do not burn fuel because they take their energy from the built-in batteries (zero carbon dioxide during driving!). Even though you need to change your car’s battery from time to time, proper disposal keeps the environment clean. Another advantage concerns recharging - electric vehicles consume less energy compared to gasoline vehicles.
To prove the efficiency of sustainable cars, try booking eco-friendly car hire in Manchester. There are many famous providers available, including Hertz and Green Motion, plus you can find the following models:
Tesla Model 3;
Volkswagen Up Electric;
Hyundai Ioniq;
Polestar 2;
Kia Niro Hybrid.
Trams (Metrolink)
Sustainable transportation in Manchester includes the largest tram network in the UK - Metrolink. It produces less pollution per passenger because there are many people in one vehicle.
Among the other benefits of Metrolink is energy consumption. Trams run using electricity made from renewable energy - an excellent example of a nonpolluting approach. Another benefit of trams is their steel wheels which, when worn out, do less harm if you recycle them.
There is one disadvantage of trams - they are less flexible than other vehicles and are often crowded. When you cannot use the Metrolink route and travel with a big family - car hire might suit you better.
Buses
Zero-greenhouse emission Bee Network buses are about to appear in the streets of Manchester in September 2023. Yellow, double-decker vehicles are going to roam the streets with their 382kWh batteries and amenities (visual announcement system, wheelchair bays, etc.). The buses will be very convenient to use - through an app from Bee Network, you will be able to purchase tickets for a ride. As the company states, “Say yellow to the Be Network!”
Trains
Using trains is another way of eco-friendly travelling in Manchester. This transport type reduces the production of carbon dioxide per passenger like trams. Every year more than 26 million people get to their destination by train, and the number will grow even more.
All trains have different sources of energy - diesel fuel and electricity particularly. The city plans to improve railway travel and introduce new eco-friendly trains to replace the older ones. There will be more seats, so more people will travel and reduce pollution.
Bicycles
A 100% safe-for-environment bicycle is perfect for healthy transportation in Manchester. By riding this kind of transport, you face numerous benefits:
Bicycles occupy less space and have a specially designated area that you use for riding;
While travelling, you do not pollute the environment with carbon dioxide;
You train your muscles and enjoy a healthy lifestyle;
Bicycles are mostly safer than cars or buses.
The only minus is the bicycle construction material, which may include plastic and rubber, which are hard to recycle.
What are the perspectives for Manchester sustainable transportation?
Manchester continues improving its transportation system to make it more eco-friendly without ruining travellers' comfort. For example, Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 aims to:
Improve the quality of life;
Protect the environment;
Develop the city, and implement its innovations;
Provide sustainable economic growth.
Modern transportation systems will appeal to every citizen by offering reliable and well-maintained vehicles with amenities and high levels of security. The old modes of transportation will leave the streets of Greater Manchester and let a new era begin - the era of eco-friendly vehicles.