COMPANY car drivers will not be driven out of their cars by punitive tax increases - but they could be lured out of them if public transport systems were improved. That is the finding of a survey of 108 company car and 251 private motorists by the Cowie Group on the eve of the Government's first Budget which is expected to target the company car and contain radical measures in support of an integrated approach to transport.

The survey - 'Motorists' Hopes and Fears for a Labour Government' - reveals that increases in fuel duties would make less than 20% of motorists use their car less. But, if taxation was increased for cars which emitted more harmful gases, more than 70% of people questioned said they would switch to 'greener vehicles'.

A third of drivers said they would use their cars less if city centres became traffic-free zones, while 38% of company car drivers would use public transport if more 'park and ride' schemes were opened. More than 80% of drivers said they would use public transport more if it was made convenient and if it was quicker than driving 75% would switch.