Should we use public transport more? (Public Transport in general)

Member Name: kipper52

Product:	Public Transport in general
Date:	09/02/09 (29 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Saves the planet

Disadvantages: Stressful, delays, poor services,poor facilities - should I go on

I keep reading in the paper and hearing on the radio and television that I should be using public transport more to help the country and to save the environment. So I try to do my bit and if I go anywhere on my own, especially into my local city of Manchester, I tend to use my train.

Everytime I do this, I have somehow mysteriously forgotten my previous experiences and I have my rose coloured spectacles well and truly clamped to my head. I forget that the trains by and large are run down and I have lost count of the times I have sat on a ripped seat. From where I sat today on the 10:33 to Manchester Piccadilly, I could see filthy floors, grubby seats and peeling paintwork everywhere. It is at times like this I start to wonder where my £4 train fare goes.

Still, I should be pleased that I have got a seat at all. Some weeks ago, I decided to take my Dad to Manchester City's new ground as we had never been. My Dad is 67 and luckily good for his age. We got on at our local station and, this is no exaggeration, we had to stand for the entire half hour journey crammed in like sardines. Now, not only is this unacceptable as a fare paying passenger but it is surely a Health and Safety nightmare. You can surely see that I am getting at the point that there should have been more carriages provided. This point was further highlighted on our return journey when things, if possible, were even worse. As the game was in mid December on a Saturday afternoon, we shared our journey home with the football fans and a whole host of Christmas shoppers. Again, we were forced to stand all the way leading me to wonder why exactly we should use public transport.

When you compare our system to other countries, Switzerland and Japan to name but two, we are light years behind. These countries, rarely have late trains unlike here where it is the norm. On top of this, our local authorities recently held a congestion charge referendum where, from what I gathered, they were asking for a couple of years money in charges before we saw any major public transport improvements.

I am committed to saving the planet and I recycle very thoroughly but I cannot see a time, certainly not in the near future, when I will more often than not, trade in my car for the bus or train. The government really need to invest more money in the transport network to make it a more realistic and viable option and I am sure it will be a cold day in hell before I give up my car for good.

As far as advice goes, you should try and use public transport whenever you can but do not expect luxury, on local routes especially. If you do, you will be disappointed.

Summary: Try to use it to save the planet but don't expect too much