A billion pounds of public transport fare cuts would reduce car travel by less than half a percent, according to the Royal Automobile Club Foundation's latest research paper, 'Public Transport Effects on Road Traffic. This means several billions of pounds would be needed every year to have a measurable impact. Than why bother?
The report questions whether the public transport network could cope with a surge in growth. The railway network is already congested and existing overcrowding must be tackled before additional passengers can be encouraged to swap the road for the rails. A new High Speed Train line from London to Glasgow would reduce motorway traffic in the corridor by up to 5% - 7%; but this costly venture, would mostly replace travel by air.
Parking for travellers using commuter or long distance trains can reduce road traffic on main routes in and out of our large cities. However, lack of sufficient affordable parking, as well as crowded trains, limits its potential.
Improved local bus services would only stop a limited number of people travelling between towns in the car. Express coaches have some potential but they require fast and reliable intercity routes to be effective.
Lets just face it, motorists are not going got give up there cars until a decent transport system is in place. So why waste money for such a tiny return when it could be put to better use improving the public system all round.
Will someone please give me the job!
Jackie Violet - Female First