Clogged roads and very expensive and unreliable public transport......Sheffield mirrors many towns and cities in England today. So what is the solution?

In order to make a projection you need some data/facts.
The important facts in planning for an improved transport network in any City are statistics for:
1) The Growth in car ownership within the geographical limits, and the demographics of such increasing car ownership
2) Decline in public transport services and demotion of buses from 'public service' utlities to profit making companies, resulting in fewer services and profitable routes only being supported.

Since 1985 when traditional Local Authority supported 'public service' bus companies (and train routes/services) were effectively declared illegal, massive changes have resulted, and any former Council supported public transport network has been replaced by profit making enterprise. The result of Mrs Thatchers attempt to destroy public transport as a 'welfare' concept has created the fragmented and awful public transport network we have now in Sheffield. Many routes have vanished, bus fleets have been effectively HALVED since 1985, and fares are a joke.

Car ownership has MASSIVELY increased since 1985, and is still on the climb with no sign or indication of a let up.

So any future transport system/network has to contend with these 2 facts, 'public transport' in the traditional sense is a concept being effectively phased out, as demand falls due to fare increases and unreliable forever being revised services. The public view of bus services has sunk to an all time low, creating a spiral effect on passenger numbers, which I suggest (don't have any figures) are declining annually by a measurable %. And 2nd, more and more people are buying cars, and there is no way on earth that this trend can be reversed be some considerable time.

Any thoughts?

I do indeed have a thought - do it!!

Trouble is in this berg everything anyone does is wrong. No bus company in my lifetime will ever suffice in Sheffield so it seems.

So any future transport system/network has to contend with these 2 facts, 'public transport' in the traditional sense is a concept being effectively phased out, as demand falls due to fare increases and unreliable forever being revised services. The public view of bus services has sunk to an all time low, creating a spiral effect on passenger numbers, which I suggest (don't have any figures) are declining annually by a measurable %. And 2nd, more and more people are buying cars, and there is no way on earth that this trend can be reversed be some considerable time.

Any thoughts?

The stupid thing is, a large chunk of the population wouldn't mind - in fact might even prefer - using public transport IF there was a decent system.

It's quite a simple answer to the problem really. The government needs to invest lot of money in creating fully comprehensive public transport systems both city-wide and nation-wide. End Of.

The stupid thing is, a large chunk of the population wouldn't mind - in fact might even prefer - using public transport IF there was a decent system.

It's quite a simple answer to the problem really. The government needs to invest lot of money in creating fully comprehensive public transport systems both city-wide and nation-wide. End Of.

Afraid it's just not going to happen Paulmat.

Yeah it's not gonna happen unless there's a huge change of opinion on how public transport should work. It's all about making money. It needs to be about serving people.

Yeah it's not gonna happen unless there's a huge change of opinion on how public transport should work. It's all about making money. It needs to be about serving people.

Of course it needs to be about serving people but it still has to stack up financially otherwise 'feeding a bottomless pit' is the situation that the taxpayers will find themselves in.

Of course, but the Government always seems to go for the cheapest option rather than the best. Even if they would both be financially sound.

Anyway, that's a good reason to build our cities denser rather than adding new sprawling suburbs. It makes public transport more viable.

The answer is simple and does not cost a single penny.

Currently First cannot talk or co-operate with First, TM or even the train companies as the Competition Commission says its illegal and they would levy a big fine.

Exempt the transport industry from this commission and put other controls in place to stop any dodgy deals. The result is that First and Stagecoach or others could
a) co-ordinate their busses so they come in equal intervals and co-ordinate and plan routes together
b) they could introduce area tickets that are accepted on their busses under a commercial agreement i.e a Chapeltown/High Green/Ecclesfield ticke or a 75/75/88/83 ticket. The revenue could then be divided up equally
c) the First Stocksbridge ticket could be used on the Stagecoach Stocksbridge service

All of this could be achieved and produce a joined up network with out having the taxpayer pay for it like it was under council control but at the moment the law forbids it.

Bus companies could achieve a lot but it requires the government changing the law and the sad fact is busses are not glitzy so the politicians don't care unless something hits the fan.

Of course it needs to be about serving people but it still has to stack up financially otherwise 'feeding a bottomless pit' is the situation that the taxpayers will find themselves in.

This happens on trains already though. We pay extortionate fairs (like it can be hundreds of pounds for a ticket from Leeds to London) to the train companies, and the government hands them hundreds of millions of our money as well. The directors and shareholders are laughing- and thats all that counts- they simply cant lose.

When you say train fares are extortionate, what are you basing that on - a train service is very expensive to provide. Also, unlike buses, rail travel is in growth.

We are now asking the people of Sheffield to register their support for an emission free community transport service to the local authority, using Sheffield City Council’s priority assessment system.

The Transport Planning department delivers transport schemes as part of the Local Transport Plan (LTP) and deal with requests for new projects and recommend priorities to Councillors, advising how schemes fit with the Council’s Transport Strategy.

Vert-i-GO Pedicabs Ltd are a co-operative organisation based in Sheffield. We aim to revolutionize transport in Sheffield by bringing a fleet of Pedicabs to the city centre, to help people reduce their impact on the environment. To know more about our campaign, please visit http://vert-i-go.co.uk/about/

If you believe strongly that our city could benefit from a FREE Community Transport pedicab service then register your interest here.

The best way is to download this Pedicab scheme request form explaining the issues, add your name and address, and either send a printed version to them by post to Development Services, Transport Planning and Road Safety, Howden House, 1 Union Street, Sheffield, S1 2SH, or email to Transport@sheffield.gov.uk

You can contact the Transport Planning team by telephone on (0114) 2734479, or you can contact the Road Safety team on (0114) 2736166 or 2736162

In contrast, regarding a post relating to plans for taxis to charge £5 more ".. the council lifted the limit on taxis in 2001 and let the number grow unrestricted and without any corresponding increase in ranking space. They then spent some 40 grand on a taxi demand survey to verify what the drivers were complaining about, and the survey made some recommendations. The survey showed too many cabs trying to work in daytime and not enough ranking space.." by tab1: 05-12-2007 at 06:41 PM

vert-i-go are currently negotiating with Sheffield City Council on how best to legally operate. We need your support! Help by completing our survey, signing up to our newsletter and telling everyone you know! http://vert-i-go.co.uk/pedicab-survey/

We thank you, in advance, for your support, and ask that you watch this space for further updates and developments.


Nick Oodian - Cooperative Operations Manager