By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
routeonerouteonerouteone
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Reading: Politicians must overcome their fears
Share
Font ResizerAa
routeonerouteone
Font ResizerAa
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Follow US
Ā© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd
- Advertisement -
-
routeone > Uncategorized > Politicians must overcome their fears
Uncategorized

Politicians must overcome their fears

Tim Deakin
Tim Deakin
Published: April 17, 2019
Share
SHARE

Bus patronage continues to decline, with demand down 1.9% for the year to 31 March. I always get slightly nervous when the Department for Transport publishes figures on bus demand, because invariably this shows a continuing decline, leading to many citing this as evidence of failure of the deregulated market. Of course, that no longer stacks up, as demand in the regulated London market is also now in decline.

There are a number reasons for this, but central to it is the on-going and chronic problem of traffic congestion. And it’s a vicious circle, because as bus speeds get ever slower, operating costs go up, and patronage declines. And as bus operating costs go up, so the relative cost of car use goes down, thanks to successive governments freezing fuel duty.

alt=”” src=”https://www.route-one.net/wp-content/uploads/Westminster_lo.jpg” />
Now, even the shining beacon of regulation, London, is seeing bus use fall due to congestion

So I was pleased to hear that Stagecoach’s regional companies have written to politicians – MPs, MSPs and local councillors – highlighting the really serious impact that congestion is having on its bus operations. I would urge every operator, big and small, to do the same.

People say that ā€˜something must be done’. Indeed it must, especially if we are to address the growing and associated problem of air pollution

There is a solution, and there has been for many years, but it’s a solution that politicians have consistently run a mile from. Unless and until national and local politicians are willing to face up to reality and introduce road pricing, the problem of congestion isn’t going to go away.

In London, travelling around on four wheels, whether by car, bus or taxi, is becoming next to impossible thanks to the combined effect of constant roadworks and large chunks of road space being given over to dedicated cycle lanes.

Fortunately, in London there is a viable alternative with the tube network, but elsewhere that’s not the case except in those few cities lucky enough to have metro systems.

But unless politicians are prepared to face up to reality and recognise that the cost of motoring must go up, whether by a hike in fuel duty or the introduction of road pricing, the problem of congestion is just going to get worse.

If you believe in the free market you may just say that if people want to travel by car, regardless of the problems of congestion, that’s their privilege. You might argue that congestion will become self-regulating as motorists will get so fed up sitting in traffic jams they will give up their cars of their own free will.

This is a forlorn hope. Unless there is direct political intervention I can’t see people giving up their cars. And there are strong public policy and economic reasons for this.

It’s time for politicians of all parties to overcome their fear of an electoral backlash and reach a cross-party consensus that road pricing must have its day.Ā 

Share This Article
Facebook LinkedIn Threads Email Copy Link
ByTim Deakin
Tim is Editor of routeone and has worked in both the coach and bus and haulage industries.
Previous Article DVSA must do more on testing to ease shortage
Next Article CheckedSafe offers a ‘simplified’ way of maintaining and keeping your fleet compliant
- Advertisement -

Latest News

Pulhams and Swindon's Bus Company win Cirencester College contract
Pulhams and Swindon’s Bus Co gain 24-route college contract
News
Bakers Dolphin and Harry Bessant recognised at Weston College Business Awards
Bakers Dolphin and student Harry Bessant recognised by college
People
Coach and bus opportunities to be explored at joint CPT and Backhouse Jones conference
Future of coach and bus to be explored at September conference
News
How does home-to-school provision sit alongside bus franchising plans
How do home-to-school contracts sit alongside bus franchising?
Editor's Comment
- Advertisement -
-

routeone magazine is the indispensable resource for professional UK coach, bus and minibus operators. The home of vehicle sales and the latest bus and coach job vacancies, routeone connects professional PCV operators with complete and unrivalled news coverage.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • GDPR Policy
  • Sustainability
  • Advertise
  • Latest Issue
  • Share Your News
routeonerouteone
Follow US
Ā© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd