Transport

[Paul K]

Originally Posted by bexy

away from politics yet you talk about taxes?

(and amount has one m :p..says she the typo queen)

i think politics in nessarily linked to transport but maybe thats just me

No comment
Yes the transport system will always be linked to politics but if I wanted a political debate I would have started one :p Politics has damaged the transportation systems of this country to the point where it will take years for them to recover but there must be things that can be done now to improve them.
Example. Simplified plans and easy to follow guides on the tube (maybe coloured lines on the floor leading to the correct platform for a certain line)
Easy to read timetables for busses and trains etc

[Bex]

Originally Posted by Paul

No comment
Yes the transport system will always be linked to politics but if I wanted a political debate I would have started one :P Politics has damages the transportation systems of this country to the point where it will take years for it to recover but there must be things that can be done now to improve them. Example. Simplified plans and easy to follow guides on the tube (maybe coloured lines on the floor leading to the correct platform for a certain line)
Easy to read timetables for busses and trains etc

1. i edited so :p
2. at least i know how to do a :p smilie
3. it is a political issue so pp

now back on topic...transport...

[Paul K]

Damn that quote box :p
Now about suggestions for improvements to our mass transport system

[Bex]

Originally Posted by Paul

Damn that quote box :p
Now about suggestions for improvements to our mass transport system

huh?

[Stuart]

While I agree that this government has done f*** all to improve hospitals and transport, they are not the only government that can be blamed for this.

I don't agree with socialism (or nationalisation for the sake of it) but transport should be run by the government, not private companies. However, it should be run efficiently.

Traditionally, when properly invested in, the railways (both in this country and others) have never made a large enough profit to warrant privatisation. Hell, British Rail was created because smaller rail companies were going bankrupt.

When privatising the Rail network was being talked about, I remember seeing (I think) the Swedish transport minister on TV, warning us not to privatise as they had tried it and it failed. That seems to be happening here too. First Railtrack went, now the South Eastern lines are run by "south eastern" trains, pending the award of a new contract after connex were sacked.

As to the state of Transport. Somebody (and I don't know whether it should be the government or a private company) needs to invest a lot of money to

1) Reverse the damage done by the current train companies through lack of maintenance (according to Private Eye, Railtrack cut imaintenance to below safe minimum levels years ago) and
2) Improve the system.

Edit: Didn't make sense the first time.

[Bex]

Originally Posted by scastle

While I agree that this government has done f*** all to improve hospitals and transport, they are not the only government that can be blamed for this.

I don't agree with socialism (or nationalisation for the sake of it) but transport should be run by the government, not private companies. However, it should be run efficiently.

Traditionally, when properly invested in, the railways (both in this country and others) have never made a large enough profit to warrant privatisation. Hell, British Rail was created because smaller rail companies were going bankrupt.

When privatising the Rail network was being talked about, I remember seeing (I think) the Swedish transport minister on TV, warning us not to privatise as they had tried it and it failed. That seems to be happening here too. First Railtrack went, now the South Eastern lines are run by "south eastern" trains, pending the award of a new contract after connex were sacked.

As to the state of Transport. Somebody (and I don't know whether it should be the government or a private company) needs to invest a lot of money to

1) Reverse the damage done by the current train companies through lack of maintenance (according to Private Eye, Railtrack cut imaintenance to below safe minimum levels years ago) and
2) Improve the system.

Edit: Didn't make sense the first time.

ok i see your point, but who allowed the rail service to become privatised?

privatisation can be a good idea in theory, if a company proves they are willing to actually repair the damage already there, otherwise it is simply a waste of time imo

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by bexy

ok i see your point, but who allowed the rail service to become privatised?

privatisation can be a good idea in theory, if a company proves they are willing to actually repair the damage already there, otherwise it is simply a waste of time imo

True, this government didn't start privatisation, and I wasn't having a go at any particular government. No government since the 60s has invested the right amount in our railways. So, to a certain extent, they are all to blame.

Having said all that, privatisation can work. Look at the Docklands Light Railway. That is privatised and works brilliantly (most of the time).

[Shaun]

To be perfectly honest, I really haven;t had any problems with the railways, admittedly I don't use them everyday. However I do use them a couple of times a month, and they are very rarely late, yes some of the Central trains, trains (does that make sense) are filthy smelly old rolling stock, but thats not the governments fault. It really does seem to be a franchise thing because either other services that run through Leicester are all really nice.

The busses on the other had are a very different matter, and Arriva Fox County should be ashamed of themselves the level of service they offer around here