(05 Nov 2014, 1:03 pm)eezypeazy wrote If motoring costs continue to become cheaper, and footfall in towns and shopping centres continues to fall as a result of the changing marketplace, then it's only going to be external factors - such as congestion charging - that can change the balance.
We live in interesting times!
Congestion charging is an interesting one, on balance (as a motorist) I'd be in favour of it. For the most part I use my car for work. Cost and convenience (and lazyness I guess) are the principle reasons for this. I don't need my car for work, and there is no reason I can't get the bus. I just need a 'stick' to change my habits.
A random musing - back in the 6 weeks holiday I had cause to go from sunny Winlaton to the QE Hospital. The 69 was called for. And it was excruciating. Painful even. Knocking on 50 minutes sat on a cadet as it winds its way across Gateshead at 20mph, stopping every couple of stops to wait time. Never again.
Going home was a different kettle of fish altogether. X1 non stop to Gateshead, straight onto an X66 to MetroCentre, then stepped straight onto a 49 to Winlaton. The scrum dashing from the X66 to the waiting 49 suggested regulars do this too. Seamless, although I appreciate I hit lucky with timings. Best of all it took less time than the 'direct but around the world' 69.
The point, if there is one, is that I for one would rather change buses if it means my overall journey time is quicker.
On pricing, it did take my breath away a bit when the driver of the 69 relieved me of the best part of £5 for a purple buzzfare. But on the way back, I felt it was good value using it 3 times. For me, it's part psychological. £4.85 (?) for a buzzfare is, in my mind, £5. I've cracked a note to pay for the fare, and I can't do much (e.g buy a paper) with the change. To all intents and purposes, I've just spent a fiver. Weird, I know.