Who wants free buses in the UK?

Question

Ask for it here: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/free-buses/

I'd be interested in hearing people's views on this issue.

Unfortunately, people don't get to add comments when they sign the petition for it and the format doesn't afford counter arguments to the issues, either. The format, here, on Y!A, does allow comment. Have your say.....

(I know this is the same as my last question but that one somehow ended up only showing on the US site unless 'Show All English Questions' was selected. It's a UK question so I'm posting it again.)

Answer 1

Just signed it!

Answer 2

I don't think it would be practical as the bus companies simply wouldn't be able to cope with the sudden extra millions of passengers. What I would like to see is huge investment by government and bus companies in new buses and routes with subsidised fares at least intitially, and services actually running to places where they are needed at times they are needed and making good connections at stations with train  arrivals and departures. All this would lead to a gradual manageable increase in passengers, less traffic jams and less pollution..

Answer 3

Just what we need, another tax.

P.S. Communism don't work.

Answer 4

i'd have one!

Answer 5

I think they should be free.

The majority of times I get on a bus I can never get a seat... the rest of the time, some wierdo is sitting next to me.

Couple that with the fact they take forever to get anywhere, and they never run on time and you have to really think about why you are paying for this "service"!

In my opinion, they should pay me for using the dam things!

Answer 6

Not me

Answer 7

I dont want buses full stop. I just think they are expensive, contaminated, chav filled, road hogging, hideous pieces of junk.

Answer 8

No!!!

it is something that gets my angry my council tax will go up, i don't hate old people but you have more people travelling for no reason just because of free travel so it will take longer and buses more busier for people who go to work/school.

The people who get free travel just moan specially like me who has a buggy and taking there precious space but its me who is paying a fortune to travel not them.

It would work if bus prices where not 10 pounds a week, moaning people who get free travel and buses actually turn up.

Answer 9

I have a car and I use my free bus pass when I feel it is appropriate. I have also been known to use a push bike. I claim no credit it is just that I use the mode of transport most appropriate to what I deem to be my needs. i can do without some lying Politician, pompous Civil Servant or scruffy Council official  decaffeinated coffee drinking Guardian reader telling me how to run my life, especially as most of them can not run their own

Answer 10

everybody

Answer 11

I think that's quite a good idea as it would cut pollution,

I see people taking there cars to go two minutes down the road!!

Thank you :)

Will add my name.

Answer 12

It is not free public transport that this country needs, but fully accesible integrated transport.  Trains and buses should be run in conjunction with one another, not in competition.  Buses should run a local service betwen the railhead, and the outlying areas and should also provide links within the lacal area taking passengers where they want to go when they want to be there.  A major flaw with public transport is that when customers are consulted as to where buses should run, the views of non-public transport users are rarely heard.  The main problem with free public transport would be to stigmatize it, as one answerer has already pointed out the bus is perceived as the transport of last resort only to be used by those who have no choice in the matter.  The only way to improve public transport is to improve the car using public's image of it.  improve the product not totally devalue it.  What we nned is high quality public transport,  comfort on a level with that of a private car. quite possibly with first and second class tickets (some people will only use first class),  The service has to be run by private enterprises trying to make a profit., this way they have to make an effort.

Another factor is that you have to buy a multitude of tickets to travel from say Manchester to Birmingham you buy a ticket on the bus to the station buy a ticket for the train, and then buy another ticket on another bus at the other end.  A system must be put in place whereby youonly buy the one ticket that then can be used on all modes of transport you need for your journey be that bus, train, tram or ferry making your journey straight forward and simple.

Government funding for public transport should be used to make what we already have better.  That is by improving the infrastructure used.  Installing bus lanes and busways, improving stations and bus stations, funding major publicity drives such as pointring out the environmental benefits of public transport.

People should be encouraged to choose to use public transport  and definately not charged for something that they don't use this would only cause resentment.  So yes the government should invest heavily in public transport, but it should not in any way be free this would be totally the wrong way to go and would project totally the wrong image for growth, and improvement.