public transport?

Question

would it not be easier for public trasport to be under government control again so the prices could be reduced to encourage everyone to use this service therefore trying to reduce greenhouse gases at the moment scotrails prices are extortionate

thanks sluttee i always like a compliment from you

Answer 1

ANYTHING under Gov.control will be WORSE than the same thing under proper private enterprise - but Buses don't work any way = see ref. below.

Why are fares are so high ? Well the Gov. still controls Buses & Trains (using 'Licences') so they are directly responsible for the high fares.

Under private enterprise, if fares were significantly higher than the cost of providing the service, some-one would set up another Bus company to make money themselves.

This leads to compitition, lower prices and more efficient service. The least efficient Company will eventually go bust. When that happens the compitition is reduced and the remaining Bus Co. can start to put prices up again - eventually prices become high enough to attract another Bus Co. and the cycle continues.

Of course that's not possible in UK - who-ever has the 'Licence' has no incentive to reduce fares or improve efficiency or indeed do anything other than fleece the custromers and lobby for their Licence renewal....

Answer 2

I have to correct Steve B. His facts are completely and totally wrong with regard to buses. Services are actually deregulated NOT 'licenced'. Outside London anyone (more or less) has the right to register a bus service to anywhere, from anywhere at any time and any frequency they wish, in competition with anyone they like and at any fare they like. The government DO NOT control bus services. The licencing system to which he refers has not existed since 1986. The government only get involved if the buses are unsafe and they do not run in accordance with the registered timetable. Councils may get involved if a area is left without any registered bus service, since a service would not make a profit. They may then choose to specify a service of their own, the operation of which is then put out to competitive tender amongst local operators. The chosen operator then registers these times and is paid to run the service by the council.
To finally get on to the answer - despite their posturing the Government don't give a stuff about public transport. They WANT people to drive since that means more tax income. Tax income is all the treasury cares about, and the treasury runs Britain, not Parliament.

Answer 3

You have the last Tory government to thank for privatisation of the public transport system. Prices have gone up and services have gone down. It's too far down the road (if you'll pardon the pun) to do anything about it.

Answer 4

Why are there 4 answers the same?

The company I work for is under council/government control and is currently the cheapest in the area and has more services than ever before.

Answer 5

the government of the day aren't the same government of yesteryear who supported nationalism..they would turn it over to be managed by some private mob, who would shaft us just the same, look at the housing situation in Glasgow, and the private prisons and private investment in schools...albeit, they cant pass their overheads onto their customers, (with the execption of the housing associations), but am sure the if the government nationalised public transport again, we wouldn't reap the benefits, but your idea is spot on and your right about Scotrail, daylight robbery.

Answer 6

A halfway compromise is the system of contracts used in London - private companies compete for these contracts which specify service levels, cleanliness etc.

It makes a difference - London's bus riders are going up whereas the rest of the UK's going down.

Answer 7

You have the last Tory government to thank for privatisation of the public transport system. Prices have gone up and services have gone down. It's too far down the road (if you'll pardon the pun) to do anything about it.

Answer 8

You have the last Tory government to thank for privatisation of the public transport system. Prices have gone up and services have gone down. It's too far down the road (if you'll pardon the pun) to do anything about it.

Answer 9

I think Roxy is thinking along the right lines. Matthew G and James B raise valid arguments. But Sluttteee should be put in charge of public transport policy!

Answer 10

The Public Transport that goes through the village where I live is subsidised by the local council, it is VERY expensive already. Every time the timetables are changed (which is EVERY YEAR) the fares go UP - the fares and rules are set by the local council.