Corporate Responsibility

Corporate responsibility should be about improving our world. At National Express there are positive benefits from the use of our services – both for society and the environment – so we believe our responsibility is to grow our operations. In the medium term this may mean us generating more CO2 – if that contributes to a wider reduction overall. By doing more, we’ll produce less of the things our society doesn’t want…

Less CO₂ and pollution
A key part of current transport policy is focused on improving car efficiency. Whilst this is critical, it’s not the answer to reducing CO₂ from transport. As demand for travel continues, massive improvements are needed just to stand still. Real reductions will only come from reducing travel or using lower carbon forms of transport.

Walking and cycling are the most environmentally sound ways of travelling and encouraging them is key.
But they are only practical for a small amount of journeys. Next to these, coaches provide the lowest-carbon way to travel, with train and bus close behind. If customers choose to use our services instead of the car or plane then there are considerable CO2 savings. Consequently we are the ultimate “carbon offsetting” company.

And low carbon transport options don’t just cut the gases that contribute to global warming. They also
offer the chance to reduce a range of other exhaust pollutants that have a major impact on human health.

Less risk of accidents
An integrated transport system that attracts a bigger share of travellers keeps people protected. Compared with travelling by car, you’re at least ten times safer on public transport. Customer safety is a key priority. Initiatives such as our Safer Travel partnership allow customers to report anti-social issues as soon as they happen. This needs to be the norm so that people feel secure in the knowledge that their safety is our priority.

Less congestion
Britain can’t keep building and widening roads to cut congestion. There isn’t room and our countryside needs protecting. A full coach removes a mile of traffic from the roads. Worth thinking about? Public transport also reduces the need for as much town-centre parking, freeing up space for people to walk and cycle. On existing roads dedicated lanes for multi-passenger vehicles would cut journey times for people who choose lower-carbon ways to travel.

Less time-wasting
Spending time sitting in traffic is wasteful. Customers should be able to enjoy more productive time while
travelling. We’re taking steps, introducing wi-fi to our services so customers can carry on working or relaxing for longer. Journey text services are growing which allow people to access real-time information about their service on their mobiles. Cutting waiting times and keeping the customer fully informed.

Less exclusion
Not everyone has a car. Not everyone wants new dual carriageways cutting through their community, separating their homes from nearby amenities. In the future we need to integrate planning and transport systems so that communities don’t feel fragmented. Services need to be joined up so that everyone has access to them and they serve the people that need them the most.