Corbyn pledges bus service reforms

[MrMarkyMark]

Given that, 20? years after privatisation, we're still being packed into shyte like this, any sort of a change would be a win

At least with seats as uncomfortable as that, you don't care if you have to stand

[LondonManc]

Although generally against the idea, I feel there are certain things that should be owned by the public in the national interest. Off the top of my head they would be transport, energy and defence.

Correct. Getting HGVs off the roads as much as possible would massively reduce the wear and tear on the highways, reducing the amount of roadworks required and improving driver experience. If that can go hand-in-hand with better hybrid/electric vehicle technology then we're heading for a greener environment too.

[VectraMan]

Correct. Getting HGVs off the roads as much as possible would massively reduce the wear and tear on the highways, reducing the amount of roadworks required and improving driver experience. If that can go hand-in-hand with better hybrid/electric vehicle technology then we're heading for a greener environment too.

Where are you expecting HGVs to go?

The real problem with the railways is nobody wants to pay. You can lower ticket prices by having much larger subsidies like in other countries, but we all still pay in increased taxes and it's a very regressive tax in that rail commuters tend to be the better paid. If you take the idea to its extreme why not make it like the NHS and free at the point of use?

[OwlHoot]

It's one of the few things I agree with Jezza on. Nationalised public transport system. If we're going to reduce our carbon footprint, getting polluting HGVs off the road and on to electrified, dedicated freight lines is the way to go. ..

That completely overlooks the human element, bolshy rail workers (or anyone for that matter) holding the country to ransom as soon as they have a monopoly on services or supplies.

If you'd been around in the '70s, you wouldn't be so idealistic!

[LondonManc]

Where are you expecting HGVs to go?

The real problem with the railways is nobody wants to pay. You can lower ticket prices by having much larger subsidies like in other countries, but we all still pay in increased taxes and it's a very regressive tax in that rail commuters tend to be the better paid. If you take the idea to its extreme why not make it like the NHS and free at the point of use?

I'm expecting them to be phased out and replaced by local distribution, with the bulk of large distribution done by rail. Obviously not short term, but there are too many HGVs on our roads at the moment, especially those doing 60.1mph, overtaking one going 60mph.

[VectraMan]

I'm expecting them to be phased out and replaced by local distribution, with the bulk of large distribution done by rail. Obviously not short term, but there are too many HGVs on our roads at the moment, especially those doing 60.1mph, overtaking one going 60mph.

A lot more freight on the railways isn't going to help passenger services run on time.

If it were cost effective to send things by rail things would be sent by rail. Once you factor in the extra cost of unloading and loading onto an HGV at either end it can't be economic compared to simply driving the HGV from the factory to where the goods are needed (making extra money smuggling immigrants along the way). I agree it'd be great if you could get lorries off the roads (slow drivers too), but it's not likely to happen.

[NotAllThere]

Switzerland is reducing the number of HGVs on the road, by creating a rail link under the alps. Plenty of freight is shipped(?) by train on the continent, so it must be possible to make it cost-effective. What happened in the UK is that roads were invested in at the expense of the railway network. I blame Dr Beeching.

[chopper]

Given that, 20? years after privatisation, we're still being packed into shyte like this, any sort of a change would be a win

The Pacers are on their way out by 2020 (the toilets aren't compliant with disability access requirements!) and for a change, the Northern area will get shiny new rolling stock rather than decrepit 1980s stock cascaded in from the south, given a vinyl wrap and called "new".

[LondonManc]

Switzerland is reducing the number of HGVs on the road, by creating a rail link under the alps. Plenty of freight is shipped(?) by train on the continent, so it must be possible to make it cost-effective. What happened in the UK is that roads were invested in at the expense of the railway network. I blame Dr Beeching.

Exactly. Buses and HGVs are the biggest polluters on the roads. A dedicated rail freight network would create jobs by getting it up and running too. Go agile, give them four week sprints and the <modsnip> in charge might actually have to deliver something as well.

[original PM]

Thing is Britain is too small.

Its fine shipping goods 4/5 hundred miles by train but in the UK most distribution centers have a delivery radius of what 70/80 miles and because of that it makes not sense to move the goods by anything but road.