Ally Doll wrote:Interesting stuff Dugald, but I think it's not all the car to blame - privatisation also has a lot to blame as operators now care more about profit than customers.
Yes Ally Doll, I agree it isn't all the car to blame, but since the overwhelming cause of transit problems is the lack of riders, one must blame the car. The privatisation you mention may be a factor, but since the operator is bent on profit, might we not expect a well-run service in order to maximize profit? One is led to wonder why this isn't being done. I don't think a private transit company is a good way to run a transit system in a city in any case; it should be run by the city under a complete city-destination monopoly.
"Sir Roger DeLodgerley wrote:
Ally Doll wrote:
operators now care more about profit than customers.
You'd think... I mean that they run services that make the most money, and cut back on the ones which don't turn enough of a profit. The few people who might depend on a relatively rural service are of less concern. are the two not connected?".
Ally Doll, yes, the two are clearly connected. One can hardly blame the transit operator for doing this. Is it not the very essence of running a private transit operation? On an operation run by the city, the well-used lines can help carry the poorly-used ones, because profit isn't a prerequisite. Get rid of private bus lines!
If the people in the depot do not respond to emergency calls, they are at fault and steps should be taken to correct this. This may well be a reflection of the need to have well-paid employees in order to attract more responsible people. I wonder if the city police could not be a part of this security situation rather than relying on the bus depot.
Cheers, Dugald.
and Im ragin, and cold
er just my christmas dessert 
