[sustran] bus losses and lawsuits

[John Ernst]

Two items from the Bangkok Post (16-Nov-98) -- 

First, Bangkok's "Micro-Bus" service – privately concessioned,
air-conditioned, 30-seater buses that guarantee seats (no standing) which
have operated since 1992 -- are bankrupt and predicted to shut down.  Not
in the story are the causes behind Bangkok’s bus woes – the rolling stock
is stuck in congestion much of the time.  Bangkok’s bus lanes are very
limited and what exists is seldom enforced.  Meanwhile, expressway
construction continues throughout the city, though now joined by elevated
rail and subway.

A seemingly unrelated story is the settlement in the US of claims against
the tobacco industry.  In the US legal system, this opens up lawsuits to
manufacturers of other items that damage human life.  While guns are the
next target in the US, the news story also mentioned cars.

I recall there was already a lawsuit filed in Japan about one year ago
suing a city for planning for vehicles. The basis of the suit was the
health effects of the resulting air pollution.  Does anyone know the status
of that case?

While legal action against cities is a radical approach, it may be one
worth considering.  The threat alone may help cities in Asia take
alternatives to road-building more seriously.  

I think some car manufacturers are also responsible.  For example, General
Motors marketing strategy for Chinese cars implicitly acknowledges the cars
will be operated in congested urban areas:  "Shanghai GM will try to carve
out a market niche by building vehicles with automatic transmissions,
apparently more suited to the stop-and-go conditions in China's congested
cities." [China Energy Efficiency Information Bulletin, November 1998, Vol.
4, No. 9, (http://www.pnl.gov/china)]

Does anyone have more information about legal approaches?  It's important
for both citizen groups and governments / corporations to be aware of the
possibilities.