Public transport benefits from the recession
While there have been very few areas of the economy which have benefitted from the slowdown, it seems as though public transport is enjoying something of an Indian summer. Even the likes of Go-Ahead failed to see this one coming and have been pleasantly surprised to announce figures which were much stronger than expected. So why the move to public transport?
One of the main reasons for the emergence of public transport as a new power is the relentless pursuit of the motorist by the authorities. Hidden speed cameras, increased road tax and insurance premiums which just seem to move higher and higher has seen many dump their cars - that is before the rise in fuel is taken into account!
Slowly but surely more and more motorists are realising that they can often make do without their car and use public transport. That is not to say that public transport is anywhere near perfect but from a cost angle it is very much catching up with the motoring costs of the individual. Will the trend continue?
While there will be an inevitable move back to private vehicles as and when the economy improves, many people are predicting that a substantial number will still use pubic transport in the future. With pay per mile plans afoot all around the country this may be a turning point for the public transport sector.
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