Re: Cars make more economic sense than transit: fact

[stang@iweb.net.au (Aidan Stanger)]

Michael Walker <walker@hotkey.net.au> wrote:

> In fairness, despite the flames, I think Roger has a point. His example of
> Cairns in that bus travel is twice as long timewise and more expensive is an
> example of where public transport is a mug's game from the end users point
> of view. And he doesn't say public transport is irrelevant, at the end he
> gives three scenarios where PT is more use than using a car. (Well, two if
> you don't count the greenie troll...).
> 
> My questions would be:
> 1. Is PT sustainable in Cairns if the 'express' buses need to stop at every
> hamlet?
> 2. Why do people use the services if they are as crap as Roger says (or
> rephrased, why don't Sunbus Cairns go out of business if there services are
> so bad? or Why is there no financial incentive for Sunbus Cairns to run
> better services that cater for people's preferred travel patterns?)
> 3. Is this a problem all rural cities face? Or is Cairns just a bad example?
> 
And my question would be:

Why do you conclude the price of public transport should be reduced,
when the main problem is the time it takes? Surely it needs more
investment to operate a better service, and investment is much easier to
get when it yields a direct return.

> I think even Roger and those who are far more car-centric and anti-PT would
> have to face reality and admit without PT in the major cities, the roads
> would be a nightmare and the situation unsustainable if everyone had to
> drive (and make extra journeys to take kids to school, grandma to shopping,
> etc).
> However even the strongest PT-advocates must admit that there are places
> where a car makes more sense than PT eg small towns except for those who
> have no other way and then maybe a subsidised taxi scheme is cheaper and
> more convenient for everybody from the few users who get quick transport and
> the government who doesn't have to fund expensive alternatives eg town bus
> service that carries hardly anyone as those who have cars use them because
> the service is too slow and windy and infrequent.

The bus services in country towns can be great for tourists. I'd
recommend them to anyone going to Broken Hill or Murwillumbah. You get
to see a lot more of the towns than you do on foot. And they don't seem
to be that short of passengers.

-- 
Aidan Stanger
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