21st February 2007, 01:43 PM
Posted by Digger:
In Leeds, many of the commuter rail routes have had new rolling-stock with greater capacity in the last few years - although now at capacity again. There has also been quite a bit of work on providing more bus and cycle lanes (including on my cycling route). Still very far from perfect and I think a lot could be done, but it's not a case of no investment.
The biggest problem with the buses in Leeds is that they are constantly held up in gridlocked traffic - reduce the traffic or segregate the buses, and hey-presto, the buses will be more reliable and quicker.
It is certainly true that people need cars - I have not got rid of mine, but I do use it a lot less than I used to. The point is not to stop people who need to from using their cars, but to discourage the enormous amounts of un-necessary use, especially for daily commuting to workplaces that are accessible by public transport.
I think a lot of the concern about social exclusion is exaggerated and can be greatly reduced in working out the details. The roads most likely to be affected by pricing measures are either the busier motorways and trunk roads or urban commuting routes. If you are travelling in remote rural areas, you are unlikely to be using a priced road.
If your trip is essential for your work, your employer should reimburse you.
The tougher ones are commuting trips to workplaces in the urban fringe that are not easily accessible by public transport.
There is no reason why a road pricing scheme couldn't be phased in gradually, with improvements in public transport in advance of each new phase of road pricing.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished
Quote:quote:No bike trackways, no decent public transport network, extortionate rail fares etc. etc. etc.
Not exactly an attrative option to giving up four wheels. I drive a lot, also use a bike and walk (not at the same time!. The railway infrustructure can not cope with an increase in pasengers with out investment. I am aaware that sod-all money from road taxing has actually been allocated to improving public transport, if it is adopted. An allternative would be to raise vehicle and fuel tax-oops they already did and that really worked didn't it.
People need cars. You cannot remove a system and have nothing to replace it with. Perhaps politians would like to keep the low income peasents off the roads so they can get a clear run from Whitheall to Cornwall during peak our? Pase the bolli jeves and damn the speed camera (probably both claimable as travel expenses).
In Leeds, many of the commuter rail routes have had new rolling-stock with greater capacity in the last few years - although now at capacity again. There has also been quite a bit of work on providing more bus and cycle lanes (including on my cycling route). Still very far from perfect and I think a lot could be done, but it's not a case of no investment.
The biggest problem with the buses in Leeds is that they are constantly held up in gridlocked traffic - reduce the traffic or segregate the buses, and hey-presto, the buses will be more reliable and quicker.
It is certainly true that people need cars - I have not got rid of mine, but I do use it a lot less than I used to. The point is not to stop people who need to from using their cars, but to discourage the enormous amounts of un-necessary use, especially for daily commuting to workplaces that are accessible by public transport.
I think a lot of the concern about social exclusion is exaggerated and can be greatly reduced in working out the details. The roads most likely to be affected by pricing measures are either the busier motorways and trunk roads or urban commuting routes. If you are travelling in remote rural areas, you are unlikely to be using a priced road.
If your trip is essential for your work, your employer should reimburse you.
The tougher ones are commuting trips to workplaces in the urban fringe that are not easily accessible by public transport.
There is no reason why a road pricing scheme couldn't be phased in gradually, with improvements in public transport in advance of each new phase of road pricing.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished