Road vehicles are responsible for over 50% of the emissions of nitrogen oxides and over 75% of carbon dioxide emissions in the U.K. The Government has recognised that one way to reduce air pollution and ease congestion on our roads is to stimulate greater use of public transport.

How can the Government persuade people out of their cars and onto public transport? It can use the carrot and the stick; it can reward people for using public transport by making it cheaper, more reliable and attractive, and discourage the use of private cars by making them more expensive to run and less convenient.

Here are eight ways in which the Government might influence our choice of transport. You decide if each one is a carrot or a stick.