He says that company runs far too few buses and always horrible rattling old wrecks
There used to be a running joke along the lines of "old buses don't die, they go to first Edinburgh"
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
Why no one uses public transport
(71 posts)-
Posted 11 years ago #
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If you think about how people describe costs, you see how they factor them into their decision making. Cars are essential, an upfront cost and a regular payment that is part of household budgeting and nothing really to do with making journeys. I mean, they buy the car, it's a possession not a mode of transport.
All the incidental costs - tax and insurance etc - are costs associated with owning a car. They are impositions not costs associated with making any journeys.
When people talk about buying fuel, they talk in terms of the total cost of filling up the car - feeding it. Those are lump sums associated with car use, not with any particular journey. Once the car has petrol in it, people don't have to part with any money to make a journey. Those journeys seem to be free.
The only time I ever hear people talking about even the marginal cost of a journey is when they have to fill the car en route. So they'll maybe say that they spent £150 on petrol for a long weekend.
So, short car journeys are free. Bus, train and taxi journeys involve them digging into their pocket for cash and handing it over. They cost real money. To get people to properly understand the cost of driving, you'd really need some kind of smart meter in it that would sit clocking up the fixed costs and deprecation even when the car's not moving and which would then whirr round like the fruit machine eyes of a greedy cartoon character as they started burning the petrol. That would make the costs transparent.
Posted 11 years ago # -
@Instography, yes, that's exactly it.
Then these same people turn around and complain to anyone who'll listen how their household budgets are "under pressure", how they're having to cut back on things, unnecessary expenditure, etc.
Posted 11 years ago # -
More Stagecoach customer service...
My wife did indeed get the bus through to Livingston today. On the way back, she goes into the office at the Ferrytol to ask when the next bus to Burntisland is....
Woman. There isn't one.
My wife. But I got one here.
Woman. There is the 57, but that bus is for workers.
My wife. Sorry? Can I not get that bus?
Woman. That bus is for workers, you would be better walking into Inverkething, and getting the no 7.
My wife. But I've got a broken ankle, how am I going to get to Inverkeithing?
Woman. I suppose you can get it, but it is supposed to be for people coming home from work.Me. Flabbergasted!
Posted 11 years ago # -
Consider my gast also flabbered....
Posted 11 years ago # -
"
Woman. I suppose you can get it, but it is supposed to be for people coming home from work."
So the woman assumes your wife isn't coming home from work, or is trying to protect her from all those seats sat on by men in grubby overalls or??
"
The Cheap Trains Act 1883 marked the beginning of workers' train (and later, bus) services.
"
Posted 11 years ago # -
Perhaps she was trying to prevent Boomers from Booming on it?
Posted 11 years ago # -
Yes - only here would a public transport employee suggest walking!
Stagecoach will soon have a whole Forth Bridge to themselves! Will they run more buses?Posted 11 years ago # -
Stagecoach will soon have a whole Forth Bridge to themselves!
When you put it like that, it's tempting to delve into the realm of conspiracy theories regarding donations to political parties, etc. It's all just a cockup though.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I was reminded, watching Question Time, of Soutar's attempt to fund a referendum in Scotland opposing the repeal of clause 28. The vision of a modern independent Scotland.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Mark, if your wife does get another bus to change at Ferrytoll, tell her when she gets on the first bus, to Ferrytoll, to tell the driver she will be changing at Ferrytoll for Livingston. If she makes the whole journey on Stagecoach, she can buy one ticket which allows unlimited travel all day on Stagecoach. Though I seem to recall you saying she got a Firstbus from Ferrytoll to Livingston?
Posted 11 years ago #
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