A council leader said he wants to create a transport system that tackles the double whammy of the economic impact of Covid-19 and the growing need to cut carbon emissions.
Leicester City Mayor Dir Peter Soulsby said his council is drawing up a 15 year strategy to stop rush-hour gridlock in Leicester city centre - and stop people’s reliance on cars.
A Leicester Transport Plan has been drawn up, focusing on the key themes that the city council wants to address between now and 2036.
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A public consultation has been launched giving people a chance to examine the proposals and feed back their ideas.
The draft plan focuses on developing connected main transport corridors and stations, improving transport within neighbourhoods, and trying to reduce travel by car.
Employers could also be made to pay £550-a-year charge for every car parking space they own to raise millions of pounds to subsidise a new electric bus network in the city.
The council has indicated the potential costs to firms if it presses ahead with its radical plans for a workplace parking levy (WPL) as it embarks on the first stage of a public consultation.
Leicester could follow East Midlands neighbour Nottingham in bringing in a WPL as transport bosses see the idea as a key part of their long-term efforts to tackle congestion and air pollution.
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Work is already underway rebuilding the city's old St Margaret Bus Station with plans being considered for a major overhaul of the Midland Mainline railway station.
Sir Peter said: “The draft local transport plan is our chance to set out our goals for the next 15 years and to focus on what measures are vital for balancing the city’s growth, prosperity and recovery from lockdown restrictions, with the pressing environmental concerns we face now and into the future.
“Much work has already been completed or is underway to make the city more accessible on foot, by bicycle and by public transport, including the ongoing delivery of our Connecting Leicester cycleway programme and construction of the new St Margaret’s Bus Station.
“By improving connections between key locations, people should not need to depend on car use to get around the city.
“We want to build on those key ideas of better connectivity, healthy neighbourhoods and managing car use.”
The council’s aims are:
Zero emission vehicles in use throughout the city, including buses, trains, taxis, fleet vehicles and freight.
Many more people working regularly from home and more responsible use of cars for necessary trips only.
Public transport such as bus and rail to be the first choice for longer journeys for most people, along with cycling or electric bikes.
Active transport, cycling or walking becoming the first choice for shorter journeys for most people.
A thriving, accessible city centre that is easy to move around in, and which supports economic growth in the whole city.
Healthier neighbourhoods, aiming for all services to be available by walking or cycling within 15 minutes, with cleaner air and a safer local environment.
A rush-hour free city, gradually managing traffic to reduce peak-time demands.
Information and views from the consultation will help inform the final Leicester Transport Plan, which could be approved early next year.
The consultation runs until September 17.