www.net-cymru.co.uk
Eich Gwefan Chi / YOUR Site on the Internet
Sensible Local Transport
Environment Friendly, People Friendly, Light on the Public Purse
I describe here my efforts to achieve sensible solutions to local transport
problems. Although the descriptions refer to the area where I live (the
Rhondda) the conditions are probably not dissimilar to other parts of Wales
and the suggested solutions may be applicable to other areas.
What's the need to Act?
Resources are being wasted:
Random observations in the Rhondda after 7pm indicate that about 97% of the
seating capacity on buses is unused.
Most passenger seats in cars are unused.
Internet capacity placed in libraries goes almost completely unused.
Lack of access to transport is a major factor in maintaining the cycle of
deprivation, particularly in communities away from major routes. Lack of
access to transport means lack of access to education, training and
employment. It is precisely in these areas that the housing is the poorest
and the deprivation is the greatest.
For those without access to a car travel costs are high as bus operaters need
to recover the cost of empty seats from fare-paying passengers. Thre are no
discounts for those on a low income.
The cost is high for taxpayers as well as many services are run on a subsidised
basis. Given the wasted capacity, very few people benefit.
The consequences for pollution and greenhouse gas emission is obvious.
The following alternatives have been proposed:
Collective Taxis
Once you have the level of use experienced in the Rhondda, scheduled services
become very inefficient.
A typical evening bus traveller in the Rhondda will have followed a zig-zag
journey ending at a bus stop which may be quite some distance from home.
A collective taxi (probably in the form of a minibus) would respond to demand
communicated by telephone. Pick up would not be immediate, but would be
guaranteed before a certain time. The route would be determined to pick up
as many people as possible and delivery would be to a specified address.
The presence of such a system would probably bring people onto the transport
system who are deterred for going out at the moment by problems associated
with the journey home.
At least one scheme like this operates in Germany. It is very popular and
successful. Passengers pay the equivalent of £1.50. The service is
subsidised but probably to no greater extent than is being spent at present
running nearly empty buses.
Lift Sharing
Offering people the opportunity to share their cars with others offers big
savings both to drivers and passengers and brings greater flexibility to the
transport system.
Systems could be based on educational institutions, bringing the benefits,
particularly of evening class education, to adults who would otherwise be
excluded on transport grounds. I approached a number of colleges about
setting up such a system, but got no response.
I have recently approached Rhondda Cynon Taff Council about setting up a
lift sharing system based on using the Internet facilities in public
libraries. If the NetCymru website could be used for that purpose I would
be prepared to administer the system without charge in exchange for the
potential commercial benefits that a flow of visitors would bring.
Although no action appears to have been taken within the first six weeks
of receiving the proposal, I have recently been assured by the Cabinet
Member responsible for transport that this is now being pursued as a matter
of urgency.
Would you be prepared to help?
If the above makes sense to you, then I would be very grateful for any
support you can give. If you would like to see such ideas promoted in
your area then I would be pleased to do what I can.
If you would like to share your ideas or experiences regarding transport,
then please don't hesitate to contact me by email or telephone.
Events
NetCymru isn't just about campaigning, it's also about fun!
I have placed diaries of events for various regions and covering a variety
of interests. I have tried to make things as simple as I can - just click
on the area or the type of event that interests you and you will be presented
with a day-by-day list of what's on.
If you would like publicity for your events, then please let me know. I
will be pleased to place your details in the diaries. There is no charge
or obligation.
Specific page references:
www.net-cymru.co.uk/transport - Transport Issues
www.net-cymru.co.uk/events - Events Diaries
Rwy'n ymddiheuro am beido i gynnig fersiwn Cymraeg y ddogfen hon. Croeso
beth bynnag i drafod y pynciau yn y Gymraeg. Am mwy o fanylion yn y Gymraeg
edrych ar www.net-cymru.co.uk/cymraeg.
This Website contains information from a variety of sources. References on
this site to individuals and organisations does not imply a support on their
part for Net-Cymru - see
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