Public Transport

1. Life in modern societies is becoming increasingly hectic. We all have things to do and places to go and the big question is “how do we get there?” Some of us rely on private transport, be it bicycles, cars or motorcycles. Others rely on public transport, most commonly trains and buses. With increasing numbers of people on the move, public transport has become a major concern for government officials and planners in every city around the world.
2. Some cities have very efficient public transport infrastructures. These are usually based around railway systems where traffic flows can be controlled. They represent a major investment of capital considering the land they use, the trains and the continual maintenance and running costs. The most efficient systems are those built underground as they do not interfere with road traffic. However the building of such underground systems involves extraordinary engineering. Cities which grew in size before the advent of the private motor car often have extensive and well used public transport systems. Newer cities have relied on the use of private transport and have allowed for roads and parking. However many of these facilities are now reaching saturation point and authorities face the difficult problem of developing and encouraging the use of different forms of public transport.
3. Trains offer commuters many advantages. They are usually the quickest way to cover a given distance. They are usually the cheapest option considering both time and distance, and are reliable in terms of departure and arrival times. They can be a safe and comfortable way to travel. However trains can get very crowded, particularly during peak hours. Railway stations are not always convenient to home or the desired destination and travelling to and from stations can be inconvenient.
4. Buses are used extensively to cover a wider network of locations. They are able to carry large numbers of people and this makes them cheaper and more cost-effective than many other forms of public transport. However buses must compete with other road users and trips can be slow when traffic jams occur. Some cities try to improve on this problem by allocating express lanes for buses on major routes. However delays mean that timetables are not always reliable and buses can be overcrowded or even too full to board.
5. Another popular form of public transport in some cities is the tram or cable car although these are becoming less common. Trams compete with private transport for road space and there is a greater chance of accidents occurring. Some cities are now building aerial monorail systems to take the place of trams.
6. Cities that are located on harbours and rivers often take advantage of freer movement on the water. Ferries can carry large numbers of people and hydrofoils can cover distances quickly. However delays and cancellations of services can result from poor weather conditions.
7. Taxis are the other common form of public transport found in cities. They are very convenient because they can take you from door to door. However they are usually quite expensive and face the problems of traffic jams and delays. Taxi drivers are often aggressive drivers and a taxi ride through a busy city can be a terrifying experience. Fortunately taxis seem to have fewer accidents than you would expect.
8. The most convenient form of public transport for covering long distances is usually the aeroplane. Many business people are either regular commuters or frequent fliers. The cost of travel is relatively high, but the time saved is more often important. Airports increasingly have convenient links with the cities they serve using rail, bus or shuttle services.
9. As people become increasingly aware of the pollution effects of cars on the environment, more pressure is being put on authorities to improve public transport systems. Building railways in an established city can cause major social dislocation. Homes are lost and communities divided and such plans are always strongly opposed. However public transport must keep up with economic and social change. Better still, authorities should anticipate growth and plan for an efficient public transport system to support it.

Public Transport

1. Life in modern societies is becoming increasingly hectic. We all have things to do and places to go and the big question is “how do we get there?” Some of us rely on private transport, be it bicycles, cars or motorcycles. Others rely on public transport, most commonly trains and buses. With increasing numbers of people on the move, public transport has become a major concern for government officials and planners in every city around the world.
2. Some cities have very efficient public transport infrastructures. These are usually based around railway systems where traffic flows can be controlled. They represent a major investment of capital considering the land they use, the trains and the continual maintenance and running costs. The most efficient systems are those built underground as they do not interfere with road traffic. However the building of such underground systems involves extraordinary engineering. Cities which grew in size before the advent of the private motor car often have extensive and well used public transport systems. Newer cities have relied on the use of private transport and have allowed for roads and parking. However many of these facilities are now reaching saturation point and authorities face the difficult problem of developing and encouraging the use of different forms of public transport.
3. Trains offer commuters many advantages. They are usually the quickest way to cover a given distance. They are usually the cheapest option considering both time and distance, and are reliable in terms of departure and arrival times. They can be a safe and comfortable way to travel. However trains can get very crowded, particularly during peak hours. Railway stations are not always convenient to home or the desired destination and travelling to and from stations can be inconvenient.
4. Buses are used extensively to cover a wider network of locations. They are able to carry large numbers of people and this makes them cheaper and more cost-effective than many other forms of public transport. However buses must compete with other road users and trips can be slow when traffic jams occur. Some cities try to improve on this problem by allocating express lanes for buses on major routes. However delays mean that timetables are not always reliable and buses can be overcrowded or even too full to board.
5. Another popular form of public transport in some cities is the tram or cable car although these are becoming less common. Trams compete with private transport for road space and there is a greater chance of accidents occurring. Some cities are now building aerial monorail systems to take the place of trams.
6. Cities that are located on harbours and rivers often take advantage of freer movement on the water. Ferries can carry large numbers of people and hydrofoils can cover distances quickly. However delays and cancellations of services can result from poor weather conditions.
7. Taxis are the other common form of public transport found in cities. They are very convenient because they can take you from door to door. However they are usually quite expensive and face the problems of traffic jams and delays. Taxi drivers are often aggressive drivers and a taxi ride through a busy city can be a terrifying experience. Fortunately taxis seem to have fewer accidents than you would expect.
8. The most convenient form of public transport for covering long distances is usually the aeroplane. Many business people are either regular commuters or frequent fliers. The cost of travel is relatively high, but the time saved is more often important. Airports increasingly have convenient links with the cities they serve using rail, bus or shuttle services.
9. As people become increasingly aware of the pollution effects of cars on the environment, more pressure is being put on authorities to improve public transport systems. Building railways in an established city can cause major social dislocation. Homes are lost and communities divided and such plans are always strongly opposed. However public transport must keep up with economic and social change. Better still, authorities should anticipate growth and plan for an efficient public transport system to support it.