Posted to The Age (22/3/2012) on 22/3/2012 at 3:45 PM
Commenting on "Sparse transport adds to health woes"
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sparse-transport-adds-to-health-woes-20120321-1vk8d.html
It is not about the infrastructure, but population density within an area.
It is true that many CBDs including Melbourne are well served by public transport, because the trains, trams and buses converge to the city. On the contrary, not everyone of the vehicle will go out to the same spot, and therefore services and frequency drop dramatically. Many countries have a lot more efficient public transport services, including Singapore and Hong Kong. In busy Hong Kong CBD, normal size and mini buses are everywhere competing with cars and trams on the main roads; some meander at high speed in the narrow laneways. However, the problem of infrequent public transport services also prevails in the outskirt.
Couple of years ago, the Hong Kong Government had to restrict 50% of the buses to run at peak hours to ease the congestion!
In one high rise block in Hong Kong, the population can be as high as a complete Australian estate. There is no way we can keep complaining unless we review the type of life style, demographics and population growth. Whether the services are run publicly or privately, no tax payers will support services run at big losses.
Commenting on "Sparse transport adds to health woes"
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sparse-transport-adds-to-health-woes-20120321-1vk8d.html
It is not about the infrastructure, but population density within an area.
It is true that many CBDs including Melbourne are well served by public transport, because the trains, trams and buses converge to the city. On the contrary, not everyone of the vehicle will go out to the same spot, and therefore services and frequency drop dramatically. Many countries have a lot more efficient public transport services, including Singapore and Hong Kong. In busy Hong Kong CBD, normal size and mini buses are everywhere competing with cars and trams on the main roads; some meander at high speed in the narrow laneways. However, the problem of infrequent public transport services also prevails in the outskirt.
Couple of years ago, the Hong Kong Government had to restrict 50% of the buses to run at peak hours to ease the congestion!
In one high rise block in Hong Kong, the population can be as high as a complete Australian estate. There is no way we can keep complaining unless we review the type of life style, demographics and population growth. Whether the services are run publicly or privately, no tax payers will support services run at big losses.
