🚀 go-pugleaf

{SNIP}
>The problem is that too many people are reliant on cars for their main means of
>transport, whether it be due to a lack of public transport to/from where
>they are going, or they don't like public transport or that public transport
>may be inconvenient for them or they may feel that they lose their freedom
>without their car.  For me it is cheaper, quicker and more convenient to use my
>car to get to/from work.  Putting up the cost of petrol by a few cents a litre
>will have no effect on changing their minds (or mine for that matter).

>The truth of the matter is that the government uses the environment issue as
>a political tool to gain political power.  The extra money they get from the
>petrol taxes should go into improving public transport (as well as the roads),
>and maybe then more people will start using public transport.

>I would also be happier if the police start doing random pollution checks on cars
>(especially the ones blowing out heaps of smoke) and getting them off the road, in
>order to reduce the overall amount of pollution.  Heavy fines here may also encourage
>those people with cars that blow lots of smoke to get their cars fixed.

As if that would work. I work part-time a petrol station, I see cars
come in with unroadworthy stickers, drunks, unlicensed (one at 17!)
and unregistered vehicles (no plates at all). I used to report them to
the police station up the road, but they're really not interested in
following them up unless there is some compelling reason (like a
drive-off). Nothing, but the loss of car _and_ license will get most
people out of thier car.

The car is here becase of one reason....convenience...it's the
McDonalds of transport. Most people aren't prepared to wait 5 minutes
for anything. The amount of people who call the RACV when they can't
get thier car started after two tries has to be seen to be believed.
Most times they simply haven't put thier keys in properly!

Now I don't propose that we get public transport on demand, but it
would be nice if the timetables weren't designed by people in the
city, but by the (potential) people who use the service. They'd still
get a say because they've got actually make the system work.

Frinstance...the new Cranbourne timetable. No trains further express
than Caulfield-Richmond, all express shopper services originate at
Dandenong.  The tedium of long stopping-all-stations services drives
most people insane very shortly.

How the heck does one get across the city in any reasonable time? Not
real flash transport options. Often the buses take only slightly less
time than getting a train both ways! (Do'H)

Brendan G. Searle
bgsea1@nellads.cc.monash.edu.au