THE IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The author reviews the roles of public and private transport: it is noted that few people now believe the car is the solution to all transport problems. This is due to American experience and the warnings of documents such as the buchanan report. A description of the general decline in public transport is followed by an analysis of the relative investment in the two types of transport, indicating a far greater emphasis on private transport. The financing system is discussed and it is concluded that the separate financing of individual projects favours road transport and considerably distorts real costs and benefits. It is argued that effective control of all parking is needed to limit car usage. The construction of trans-shipment centres and the provision of good rail access are examined as means of alleviating freight transport problems. The author presents a number of policy conclusions which include the need for overall planning of the transport system, an integrated financing system, parking controls and more encouragement for rail freight. /TRRL/