How Many Members Use Public Transport???

BERNADETTE · 25-06-2008, 02:05

I have been reading and noting the posts about how much fuel prices are rising. It affects all of us but was just wondering how many members actually use public transport?? Have had no choice in the matter as I don't drive but must say I found it easier and not much slower to get to Blackpool Victoria than the new Royal Blackburn hospital.
If the transport was available how many would ditch their cars and use public transport?

blazey · 25-06-2008, 03:57

I haven't learned to drive yet because public transport meets all my needs. I suppose I will eventually need to learn to drive for ease of getting around efficiently, but I still feel I'd use public transport as much as possible, especially for long distance travelling.

Neil · 25-06-2008, 07:14

I doubt I can't get to work for 6am when needed on public transport.

flashy · 25-06-2008, 07:28

i do public transport, actually i'm off to Manchester on't train in a bit

Mick · 25-06-2008, 07:33

I use public transport but only if i cant scrounge a lift from the nice accyweb members

Margaret Pilkington · 25-06-2008, 07:45

The problem with public transport services is that in bad weather they are unreliable....they don't start early enough to get those folk with an early start, to work......those folk who work late into the evening also have problems, because many buses have either stopped running or only run an hourly service....meaning long waits, in the dark, the cold and the wet. And if you are one fo the unfortunate folk who work weekends AND unsocial hours you often have to find alternative means to get to work.
Transport services are also damned expensive.

If the government really wanted to solve city congestion, they should have formulated a
public transpot infrastructure that made it reasonable both in time and cost for people to leave their cars at home.
Transport needs to be cheaper than car travel, reliable and timely....start early to catch the early workes(if necessary, put workers buses on ) and not stop at 8pm as some workers do not finish a shift until 10pm.
At present the barriers to this are the fact that fuel charges have rocketed and transport services are in the hands of comapanies whose main aim is to make a profit.

WillowTheWhisp · 25-06-2008, 07:48

I don't drive because of my eyes so when Busman isn't around I depend on Shank's pony and public transport. Getting to the hospital in Blackburn is one of my pet peeves at the moment as there is only the one bus from Accy which gets you there too early and if you catch the same return it leaves too early too so you actually get about 1o minutes of visiting time after you've hiked down the mile long corridors! Yes, I know there is also a later bus and I'm planning on catching that one today as I am visiting two people.

In some cases public transport is easier than driving - I like to get the train to York for instance as I enjoy the journey and there's no hassle about parking when you get there. I think it works out far more expensive in the long run though. I know the buses don't run on thin air but 95p up to the top of Ormerod Street from the Accy Pals health centre is a bit steep - but on the other hand so is Ormerod Street!

8pm?? The Fern Gore bus stops at tea time!

Margaret Pilkington · 25-06-2008, 07:55

And while I am on the subject, many of the buses are dirty, because there are folk who believe it is Ok to sit with their feet on the seat. I recently challenged one young madam (who must've been all of 16) and she told me to 'go forth and multiply'......and often you are on the bus with loud mouthed individuals who thing nothing of effing and jeffing for the whole of the journey. It really does irritate me.

WillowTheWhisp · 25-06-2008, 07:58

And the noise of their mobile phone ring tones, 'personal music' (ie ipods with sound blasting so loud it deafens the whole darned bus)

Neil · 25-06-2008, 08:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

often you are on the bus with loud mouthed individuals who thing nothing of effing and jeffing for the whole of the journey. It really does irritate me.

The solution to the problem

AccyLass · 25-06-2008, 08:11

I use public transport, most days, til the weekend, when the fella is off work
I will soon be using it a lot more when we move to Clayton!

Will then need it to get the kids to school, to get home from work, to go to town

MargaretR · 25-06-2008, 08:16

If public transport was re-nationalised, the need to operate 'for profit' would be removed, and it would be able to provide services on non profitable routes and at non profitable times of day.

Any government subsidy needed would be offset by the reduction in car use, and all the benefits that would bring to quality of life in urban and city areas.

Polly_45 · 25-06-2008, 08:31

I never use Public transport.Always use my car i honestly cannot remember last time i got on a bus

emzy · 25-06-2008, 08:34

The last time i tried to get on a bus (on blackburn road) I was told "NO" due to having a double buggy. Dont know if things have changed since the though, it was a while ago

WillowTheWhisp · 25-06-2008, 08:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by [email protected]

If public transport was re-nationalised, the need to operate 'for profit' would be removed, and it would be able to provide services on non profitable routes and at non profitable times of day.

Any government subsidy needed would be offset by the reduction in car use, and all the benefits that would bring to quality of life in urban and city areas.

What a lovely utopian impression you have of our lords and masters. Reduce car use and therefore reduce taxes raised on fuel, reduce income from congestion charges and then add outgoings for subsidies for cheaper public transport? Can you really see our leaders doing that in the name of ecology?