Students on the go in St Andrews

Lindsey Mackay
Wednesday 26 April 2017

Recently we conducted a Student Travel Survey asking our students questions about their travelling habits during term around our campus, and how they get to and from university. This annual survey seeks to understand year by year the changing travelling habits and attitudes of our students, and to identify patterns in behaviour. The survey enables vital insights to be made in order to influence how we plan and prepare our facilities for students, and how we can meet the needs of those travelling around St Andrews. The survey also aims to highlight knowledge gaps, to establish how we can better promote and offer more sustainable transport options to our students and to establish target areas to effectively reduce our university’s carbon footprint.

According to the survey 12.5% of the students who responded own a car at university and primarily view it as essential to getting home or for convenience for getting around the university including doing their weekly shop or for leisure at the weekends. From the survey it has been found that most of these students would not bring their car to university if improvements were made to local transport networks, including cheaper bus fared between Leuchars and St Andrews, and if a train station was installed in St Andrews. From the survey it is also apparent, that travel by bus is not a popular form of transport for students, however discounted tickets for students, particularly between St Andrews, Leuchars and Dundee, could encourage the majority to use these services more often.

Cycling is a hugely popular form of transport within St Andrews, especially with students. It is therefore important we gather annual information based on cycling in St Andrews so that we prepare and provide the correct infrastructure and services to support students and to encourage them to continue to cycle. From the survey it is apparent that most students would be encouraged to cycle if paths within St Andrews were improved, and their number increased. In addition, it has been identified that there is a clear need for an increased number of covered cycle racks at residences.

With these results in mind, we look towards the rest of 2017 as a year of progress and innovation as we strive for sustainability. Thank you to everyone who took part and for their time and insight.

For more important information on travel options in St Andrews please go to www.gostandrews.org a new hub for sustainable transport in St Andrews.

 

If you have any comments on sustainable transport within the University please do get in contact with us by emailing [email protected]. We would love to hear from you.

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