- Craig Hall
- Blackburn
- United Kingdom
This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »
Any one for free public transport
In the UK we spend £6 billion on subsidies to the train and bus companies. If we add 1p on income tax we could raise a further £5 billion giving us a grand total of £11 billion a year to spend on infrastructure and transport and provide free public transport.
Not only would we create real jobs and growth, but it would eleviate congestion leading to cleaner air. Reduce road traffic accidents, increase disposable income to the poorest, after all we are being taxed to get to work and back. Can you imagine coal mine workers being charged to travel down the mine shafts.
It would also increase the chances of reducing our carbon emissions, it's a win win.
Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.
Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.
pat gilbert 50+
Craig Hall
What I am advocating is a system paid for through direct taxation which would benefit everyone, especially the poor.
The fact that not a single mainstream political party advocates such a policy is down to who they pay lip service to and not that free public transport is a bad idea.
pat gilbert 50+
Here in Calif the governor has approved a down payment of 4.5 billion for a train to run in a sparsely(in a state that is bankrupt) populated part of the state. The projected cost when the whole boondoggle is done is supposed to be 10 billion but we all know due to aforementioned wastefulness of the government that the total will be at least double that. A state with 37 million people in it could then give 540 dollars to them instead
Another local transportation boondoggle was when the bus companies convinced the then LA city council to stop the public transportation we had which was an extensive set of street cars. Then LA rebuilt it at a cost of 11 billion re-tunneling and rebuilding, this boondoggle could have give each resident $1,000.00
It is not a ideology problem it is a math problem. Not to mention the buses and the trains have a very low ridership.
Craig Hall
Sorry I should have been a bit clearer, I can only vouch for the rabble in the UK.
The free public transport policy is an all or nothing scenario and requires a complete shift in mindset.
Our current transport system is fragmented and piecemeal and only serves a purpose for these train and bus operators making a profit.
Many households have two maybe three cars to go about their work and pleasure simply because our transport system lacks any joined up approach and simply not practical enough.
By paying through direct taxation most of us would be better off if you take into account the running costs primarily with getting to work and back.
We worked out that my partner spends 10% of her net income to get her to work. Stuck in traffic in the morning and at night ensures that she also spends half a day a week travelling.
We pay roughly 60% tax on fuel and are charged extortionate rates on insurance, the whole thing is bonkers.
It costs me proportionately more as a % of my income to fill up my tank compared to a millionaire, our Government Cabinet is full of them.
If you do the maths it works out cheaper, safer and is good for cutting down emissions. How can we take our Gvts green policies seriously if they can't act on something as straightforward and beneficial as free public transport. There's not even a debate about it.
pat gilbert 50+
The question I have if it makes so much sense why doesn't private enterprise do this?
Craig Hall
It wouldn't happen overnight this is a long term policy to upgrade and join up existing links. The reason why we have what we have, a mess, is firms make a lot of money for a poor service and are happy with the current situation.
The lobby groups representing oil, car and insurance companies ensure that any notion of a free public transportation system is kicked into the long grass.
Yes it makes sense but it won't make any money for private enterprise directly.