Birmingham Post - News Blog

How to encourage more people to use public transport

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:13:20 +0000

On a different topic . . . I also write a regular "diary" column for the Birmingham Mail, the Post's sister paper. This contains funny (in theory) little stories about life at Westminster.

But there's one I don't think a traditional community paper like the Mail would accept, so I'll tell it here instead.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant (Con) attempted to convince Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly that any future high speed rail line - likely to run from London to Birmingham, if it happens - must also stop in his constituency.

Emphasising the misery that would be caused if it simply passed through Lichfield, he asked: "Does the right honourable lady understand that it is not much fun standing on a platform and a high-speed train sucks you off because of the turbulence . . ."

Sadly, he was interrupted at his point by fellow MPs who creased up with laughter. Even Ms Kelly had difficulty keeping a straight face.

Michael tells me: "I've been teased mercilessly ever since. One MP told me tickets for trains from Lichfield are now changing hands for £50."

Traffic, Congestion and School Kids

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:35:23 +0000

I was just thinking on my way back from work this afternoon....

During the Easter holidays wasn't it great to see empty roads for a couple of weeks?

Those over-protective parents weren't there in their four wheel-drives, hogging the streets or driving like maniacs as they escorted their little darlings for school registration.

Their parents can't be bothered to encourage their children to walk, let alone get them involved in any form of physical exercise. I mean, it's no wonder ours is a nation of teenage obesity.

PR for West Midlands Transport Authority is a waste of money

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:15:49 +0000

I do not know how much money is spent on public relations by West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority.

But one thing I do know. Whatever the figure is, it is a shocking waste of money.

This organisation has for 20 years or more been a communications basket case and has as a result failed completely to get its message across. Even when it has something positive to say, it doesn't say it very well.

The latest debacle over the Midland Metro tram extension through Birmingham city centre is a case in point.
It has been clear for months that the chances of securing Government funding for the £180 million track from Snow Hill to Five Ways is somewhere between nil and nil.

West Midland transport offers more questions than answers

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:11:44 +0000

If you're reading this maybe you're a busy commuter frustrated by how the Government and rail companies organise the railway; or perhaps a leisure traveller who got stuck in the New Year shambles created by Network Rail at Rugby?

Or someone who wants a better bus service to get to work - without roads' gridlock turning a 15-minute ride into a Shakleton-style expedition?

I'm a transport consumer rep. and activist living in the city centre. I sit on national and regional consumer bodies that keep an eye on public transport providers. I got involved because I'm a public transport user. I've also been responsible for public transport policy in a small part of our region in the past. I now try to rattle the cage of those who run rail, bus and Metro services to get something better.