Progressive Minds

As I've noted elsewhere, I am a dedicated user of the public transport system. I have been fortunate enough to live close or on the main east end route serviced by the 10 and 11 buses for most of my life, and in addition have lived relatively close to my main place of work so that I could walk to work (about five to ten minutes!). I rarely have need to go to the West, but when I do I avoid the buses (8 and 7) and take the ferries as I find them more convenient and, well, better scenery to be honest.

However, from time to time I've house-sat or visited friends that do not live on or near the main bus lines, and I gotta tell you I have not been impressed by the bus services on those routes. I guess I've been spoiled by the main routes which are the most efficient (about one every fifteen minutes) and have a last bus at quarter to midnight.

I realise that on these 'lesser' routes, mainly the numbers 1 and 3, there may not be as much demand for buses. however one does have to wonder if this is a chicken and egg question, is there no demand because there are no buses, or no buses because there is no demand? I reckon its a combination of both. Despite this, I think there are a number of things that can be done to improve the bus services on these routes.

I don't think that we need to put the large buses on these routes, as they are not usually full except for the morning or afternoon rush-hours. But I don't see why we cannot put some mini-buses on these routes during non peak hours, between 1000hrs and 1600hrs, and again from 1900hrs to midnight. I'm thinking some ten-seater buses, running at least every half hour. These would be very useful in particular for helping take tourists off mopeds (where they are a hazard to everyone else as well as themselves) and for both school-children and the elderly.

I would also like to see a bus operating from from after midnight. These should be less frequent as demand is reduced, although it may be necessary to increase demand on Fridays and Saturdays, and especially on Wednesdays for Harbour Nights in the summer. I like to go out and have a drink every so often, but usually have to leave early to catch the last bus or wait for the new 'booze buses' which I think are a very good idea. Alternatively I end up having to waste money on a taxi... Having an expanded service could give people more flexibility and reduce the incidence of drunk driving.

And yes, we do need more buses for the main routes also. It can get very frustrating to see a bus full of tourists during the summer drive past you when you yourself need the bus. I'm all for having the tourists on the buses and off the mopeds, but we do need more buses for the residents themselves.

Now I know there have been some initiatives put forward along these lines, and I welcome them. However I recognise that any expanded bus systems most also ensure that quality and safety is not sacrificed in the process. I hope that the workers involved in ensuring the high quality public transport system are given full participation in expanding and improving the network, as this is the only way to secure its expansion.

On the issue of free bus and ferry travel, I think that its an excellent idea and should help with the increased use of public transit over private car and bike. However this will only succeed if the network itself is improved and expanded. I think that it should be free for everyone, all residents and visitors. I really don't have any issue with that and think that is benefits all of our social welfare. And besides I really think it would be too bulky a system to provide some people with free transit and others having to pay.

As to financing this free and expanded system, I would advocate a carbon tax on private automobiles and fuel, the revenue of this going towards subsidising the mass transit system. It will also hopefully further encourage the switch towards greater mass transit usage, which in itself would greatly reduce both our dependence on fossil fuels (with its inherent threat to our reefs in its transportation) and greenhouse gas emissions.

Any other ideas?