GOODBYE TRAM, HALLO GUIDED BUS?

In this article, the author expresses his personal opinions on the promotion of guided buses as a new prestige public transport technology. Several British cities have recently abandoned their plans for light rail or tram systems in favour of guided bus systems, mainly in city centres and along roads with heavy traffic. The superficial reason for many local authorities' new preference for guided bus systems is their lower cost. Funding for more expensive tram, light rail, and metro schemes is now very difficult to obtain. The author points out that very few cities in the world yet have guided bus systems, and considers that the idea of putting buses on guideways is stupid. It is suggested that local authorities stop listening to consultants, many of whom have a vested interest in marketing specific technologies, and look at people's real needs instead. In the author's view, major conurbations need an integrated network of heavy rail, bus, and taxi. Although light rail is potentially important to gain good penetration of city centres, it should usually be postponed for several years, in the present economic climate. The best alternative is to improve bus services to attract passengers, and invest in modest schemes to upgrade the rail network; these measures can be implemented in months rather than years.