Transport options

In partnership with TfWM and as part of the Future Transport Zone activity, the University has created a pilot called ‘Choose Your Way Warwick to trial new mobility ideas, approaches and technologies that could reduce car emissions. The pilot will inform how we might enable our campus, local and ultimately worldwide communities to be cleaner, more sustainable and lead healthier lives, helping us to determine ways to address the climate emergency.

Throughout the two-year trial, participants will be encouraged to change their transport choices and incentives offered for people who choose greener travel as part of the “Choose Your Way Warwick” campaign hosted on the Betterpoints App.

The trial will look at how the use of new transport solutions like e-scooters, a car club and a demand responsive bus service can affect travel behaviour and replace traditional car use in and around the University campus area.

The showcase projects include

• Voi Technology, the UK’s leading e-scooter operator, is bringing carbon neutral e-scooters to the University of Warwick campus as part of a pilot research project to help inform Government e-scooter legislation in the UK and research into micro-mobility. The e-scooter trial will begin on campus and rolled out to cover a wider area from March.
• Membership of Enterprise Car Club with access to two low emission Hyundai Ioniq cars, for use by staff, students and the local community. The vehicles can be booked for anything from half an hour to a full day. As well as the two car club vehicles, members can also use any of the car club’s 1,400 vehicles around the UK and access the wide range of vehicles from Enterprise’s daily rental fleet.
• Later in the year, a demand responsive bus service will be introduced to encourage the use of public transport by being able to order a bus in a similar way to a taxi. The convenience of the DRT will make it easier for the local community, staff and students to use public transport where a traditional bus service may not be appropriate.

“From the outset of the industrial revolution, the West Midlands has always been a hub of innovation and we are still leading the way with the development of green battery technology, new low-carbon housing, 5G digital connectivity, autonomous vehicles and the transport systems of the future.

“The Future Transport Showcase at the University of Warwick will offer students and staff more flexibility, choice, and greener travel solutions for the region, at a time when we are facing a climate emergency and urging people to leave the car at home.

“And this trial will show what works as we develop transport policies to address the climate emergency we all face.” Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street 

“Encouraging people to switch from car use to more sustainable transport is crucial if we are to meet the challenge of a growing population and the climate emergency. “This is why as a region we are putting unprecedented investment in public transport including opening new rail lines and extending the tram network and, through the Future Transport Zone, looking to create a cleaner, greener and better connected West Midlands.” Cllr Ian Ward, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council

“In Coventry we are setting out ways to make a major dent in addressing air pollution and offering better transport options in the short and long term.

“We already have a range of schemes to improve air quality: hundreds more electric charging bollards are being installed across the city; cycle lane schemes are underway; we are to be a trailblazer for electric buses; and we are also recognised as a city for battery production and a leader in new technologies.

“This trial now highlights how the University of Warwick is strengthening its role in research, and it provides more evidence of the city embracing and developing new transport solutions.

“Innovation has always been the trademark of the city and I look forward to seeing how the trial develops.” Cllr Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs and regeneration at Coventry City Council

Following the two-year trial, the mobility showcase results will help to find the best solutions that work for our residents in reducing their carbon footprint and help them make more informed and environmentally friendly transport choices while contributing towards achieving the region's #WM2041 net zero-carbon ambitions.