Public transport
One of the problems with public transport is that there isn’t enough of it at the right time and place, and what there is doesn’t really solve the congestion and pollution problems. The major problem facing any public transport system is that too many people need to get around in the same space at the same time at peak hours of the day. In my travels I’ve witnessed Oxford Streets’ notorious ‘People jams’ where footway traffic comes to almost a complete halt because there are just too many people vying for the same space; also packed railway platforms and bus stops all over the British Isles.
The same goes for traffic. The reason people like me are in a job is because there is too much traffic for the roads at peak times. They all want to go to the same places and park all day outside their favourite shopping haunt for next to nothing, or preferably nothing.
A simple solution would be to stagger working times away from ‘Bankers hours’. More flexible working hours with public transport cover staggered to cover these broadened peak times. Unfortunately this isn’t the whole story. Even with this kind of cover, the current infrastructures of public transport just don’t have the flexibility and timeliness required to cut congestion down to more acceptable levels. Besides, the problem with public transport is that in Britain at least it is often dirty, crowded and full of the ‘great unwashed’. Not to mention the fact that the nutter always seems to sit next door to you and want to be your ‘friend’, or you pick a train plagued by a bunch of half cut ‘lads’ whose idea of fun is making a lot of adolescent noise. Hells teeth, I’d rather walk! I often do.
Right; An old mate of mine and I were chatting about this earlier tonight (He doesn’t know about this blog incidentally) and has worked out a flexible solution to add an extra layer of relatively low cost lightweight transport infrastructure which he is willing to share. It’s been patented and his proposals look interesting; but he’s not really much of a businessman and hasn’t had much success generating interest in it. Me, I think the idea has legs, and if anyone wants a copy of his idea in PDF format or the patent office reference, let me know.
The same goes for traffic. The reason people like me are in a job is because there is too much traffic for the roads at peak times. They all want to go to the same places and park all day outside their favourite shopping haunt for next to nothing, or preferably nothing.
A simple solution would be to stagger working times away from ‘Bankers hours’. More flexible working hours with public transport cover staggered to cover these broadened peak times. Unfortunately this isn’t the whole story. Even with this kind of cover, the current infrastructures of public transport just don’t have the flexibility and timeliness required to cut congestion down to more acceptable levels. Besides, the problem with public transport is that in Britain at least it is often dirty, crowded and full of the ‘great unwashed’. Not to mention the fact that the nutter always seems to sit next door to you and want to be your ‘friend’, or you pick a train plagued by a bunch of half cut ‘lads’ whose idea of fun is making a lot of adolescent noise. Hells teeth, I’d rather walk! I often do.
Right; An old mate of mine and I were chatting about this earlier tonight (He doesn’t know about this blog incidentally) and has worked out a flexible solution to add an extra layer of relatively low cost lightweight transport infrastructure which he is willing to share. It’s been patented and his proposals look interesting; but he’s not really much of a businessman and hasn’t had much success generating interest in it. Me, I think the idea has legs, and if anyone wants a copy of his idea in PDF format or the patent office reference, let me know.
3 Comments:
Biggest problem with public transport is the unwashed uncouth and foul mouth people that you sometimes meet on it.
I'm up for a look.
Actually public transport is rubbish because all the 'non-profitable' routes are dropped. There was a programme on BBC2 about it not that long since.
It looked at a couple of cities, and the problem was that all the profitable routes had loads of transports that jammed everything up...and basically empty at that...whilst everything else had to make do.
Is it any wonder people use cars? Oh, and a late comment for one of your other posts...Blackpool is full of meters and speed cameras.
I basically shop in about 45 minutes now...instead of the hour and a bit I used to....think of all that money people aren't spending...
Public transport does work in some places...well, a couple of places...well, ok, just in London, then.
And even then, it's a merry adventure, especially late at night - do I take the nightbus home and fear getting stabbed or robbed? Or do I get any one of the many unlicenced taxis that roam the street? Oooo, the choices!
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