England’s councils have been urged to introduce incentives for people to give up private vehicles to help increase the use of shared transport.

Collaborative Mobility UK says people could be offered ‘mobility credits’ for choosing alternative modes of travel like car clubs and bike hire schemes.

The charity said the decarbonisation of transport requires ‘unprecedented action’ if the net zero target is to be reached and insisted shared transport like car clubs and bike share schemes can contribute directly to cleaner air and better health.

However, they warned shared transport remains ‘frequently underrepresented’ in the transport strategies and delivery plans of local authorities and stressed that further support is needed if the full benefits that sustainable transport can offer are to be achieved.

The call for incentives for those who give up private cars is among 12 key actions the charity wants councils in England to support to help develop shared transport.

These include establishing transport policies with indicators to measure progress and goals for reducing individual ownership, investing a percentage of revenue from Workplace Parking Levy schemes in shared transport, and incorporating shared transport in the design of low emission zones.

Richard Dilks, chief executive of Collaborative Mobility UK, said: ‘Shared transport schemes are already doing heavy lifting on decarbonisation but can go much further with greater support and should be employed right across England.

‘They provide an alternative to car ownership, and, together with public and active transport, shared transport reduces greenhouse gas emissions, poor air quality and congestion.

‘Shared transport also offers a solution to transport poverty for low-income households and provides flexible access to vehicles without the upfront purchase cost.

‘The local government elections in May present an opportunity for shared transport to be built into the future travel policies of every local authority in England.’