Public transport should as comfortable and convenient as your cars
Good public transport is good for all people including the rich as its network and service quality shapes a place enhancing its vibe and promoting meaningful human activities.
So what is good public transport?
The seats should be comfortable like your cars.
Preferably train network but if not, bus and even express/BRT network should cover as many areas as possible.
High frequency and low fare is necessary to encourage more people to use the service in the long run.
Reliable. No late arrival, cancellation or sudden termination of service.
Planned engineering works shouldn’t disrupt people’s lives.
Seats available almost all days so passengers don’t need to stand.
More fun (see more articles shown below)!
Promoting more human’s connection and thus economic activities.
Most importantly: encourage people to give up their own cars and motorbikes.
Building a train/underground network is costly and the service may not be sustainable in the long run. That’s why improving bus network in many England cities or towns is always the best solution, not to mention its flexibility to adapt the changes in development.
Owning a car is not the solution to inconvenience, because driving can be exhausting especially for a long distance, and care is needed to maintain the car. A place dominated by automobiles is definitely no good to everyone because:
More parking facilities is needed, or drivers spend more time on looking for spaces.
More traffic congestion which can’t be fixed by building more roads or highways
More pollution
Hong Kong used to (in 1970s) encourage private car owners to give up their vehicles, by introducing express bus services with comfortable seats. Nowadays they still encourage public transport but in an extreme way of forcing bus passengers to railways by reducing bus frequency and even cancelling bus routes, as overcrowded trains will lead some people to consider driving again.
Transport policy should aim at reducing car ownership only. Not reducing all kinds of vehicles on the road. If people still prefers cars when public transport is available, there should be room for improvement on its services. So try to provide incentives to public transport to make people love it.
Let public transport relieve all kinds of burden of owning cars, as well as let people enjoy their lives through public transport. Think if you can spend time on public transport relaxing, looking at stunning views, reading a bus, having some ideas and take notes on smartphone, talking with friends…
