We have seen several initiatives in Swansea in recent years that promote reduced car use or provide alternatives to the car. These include the introduction of two park and ride sites to the north-east and east of the city centre, with express bus routes, and developments to the area around the railway station to improve links to bus and taxi services. There are proposals for two further park and ride facilities for the northwest and west and major improvements to the Quadrant bus station. The development of the innovative Swansea Metro streetcar scheme will provide fast and frequent services linking key sites along a well-used route.

A regional car sharing scheme has been established and an increasing number of businesses, schools and other organisations are producing travel plans to promote more sustainable travel options to staff, students and customers. The Safe Routes to Schools initiative has seen school travel plans developed and practical measures taken to encourage cycling and walking, and to reduce traffic speed and congestion around local schools. However, about half of all car journeys are still over very short distances.

To make alternatives to car use attractive, it is crucial that they are convenient, clean and safe. Physical improvements and promotional campaigns can help to overcome the reasons for non-use of public transport, cycling and walking, which can provide people with more opportunities for exercise and also lead to safer streets.

The introduction of tighter emission standards for vehicles has resulted in the removal of lead from petrol and a reduction in sulphur content. Technological advances have provided less polluting fuels, more efficient vehicles and alternative energy sources such as biodiesel, which is currently being produced locally from used vegetable oil. These can have significant environmental benefits but are negated by far greater increases in traffic and the growing popularity of fuel-inefficient vehicles. Many foodstuffs and consumer goods are transported great distances, often involving road transport and contributing to congestion and pollution. There may be benefits in encouraging businesses to seek more efficient distribution systems and source materials and services locally to support sustainability and the local economy and even make cost savings.