Here is my brainwave or brainfart for today:
Transport is one of the biggest challenges New South Wales has. Motorists face ever increasing delays and congestion on roads while commuters have to cope with limited inefficient public transport. As the pool of public money is limited the two sides compete for funds and little appears to happen.
Rail is central to Sydney's public transport. Yet its based on 19th Century concepts. Its centralized (all lines lead to Central Station) which means that thousands of people have work in Sydney even if they live in the outer suburbs. Also any union trouble can bring the city to a halt. The expense of heavy rail means expansion is difficult.
Private cars are decentralized, and not under anyone's control. However they have their own limits of pollution and congestion.
Here is my proposal.
1)Place tolls on ALL the freeways and highways. Charge by the kilometer with offpeak discounts. This would stop the discrimination against motorist who pay a toll now on some highways while others don't, and it would provide revenue for....
2) A major highway building program. Give Sydney the roads it needs. With tolls PPPs would be the way to go. However make sure every highway has a specific bus lane because the next step will be...
3) A full bore program to introduce Bus Rapid Transport in Sydney. Bogata has shown what can be done. BRT can move more people then rail and is far more flexible. It would allow a public transport network to be established through out the city at minimal cost. Again the private sector can take the lead. Professor David Hensher has often made the case for BRT
An effective BRT network means we can consider...
4) Phasing out CityRail. Why do we need them if we can have something better? We can use that land for highways and commercial use.
Lets give Sydney a 21st Century transport system. A system based on markets, choice and innovation.
Transport is one of the biggest challenges New South Wales has. Motorists face ever increasing delays and congestion on roads while commuters have to cope with limited inefficient public transport. As the pool of public money is limited the two sides compete for funds and little appears to happen.
Rail is central to Sydney's public transport. Yet its based on 19th Century concepts. Its centralized (all lines lead to Central Station) which means that thousands of people have work in Sydney even if they live in the outer suburbs. Also any union trouble can bring the city to a halt. The expense of heavy rail means expansion is difficult.
Private cars are decentralized, and not under anyone's control. However they have their own limits of pollution and congestion.
Here is my proposal.
1)Place tolls on ALL the freeways and highways. Charge by the kilometer with offpeak discounts. This would stop the discrimination against motorist who pay a toll now on some highways while others don't, and it would provide revenue for....
2) A major highway building program. Give Sydney the roads it needs. With tolls PPPs would be the way to go. However make sure every highway has a specific bus lane because the next step will be...
3) A full bore program to introduce Bus Rapid Transport in Sydney. Bogata has shown what can be done. BRT can move more people then rail and is far more flexible. It would allow a public transport network to be established through out the city at minimal cost. Again the private sector can take the lead. Professor David Hensher has often made the case for BRT
An effective BRT network means we can consider...
4) Phasing out CityRail. Why do we need them if we can have something better? We can use that land for highways and commercial use.
Lets give Sydney a 21st Century transport system. A system based on markets, choice and innovation.
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