[sustran] Sustran-discuss Digest, Vol 31, Issue 11

[Sunny]

In my opinion spending money on cars will not denote the prosperity of 
the city or people. Nowadays a car in India can be owned not only by 
full payment but also in instalments which is  providing  a scope for 
the middle class to enjoy the benefits of the car. On the other hand the 
emissions they produce and their paradigm shift in commutation deprives 
the poor of their native means of transport i.e. the public transport or 
the non-motorised means. For example in countries like Singapore, Hong 
Kong are supposed to be richer than their neighbours in Asia have a very 
less private mobility and the users are charged for their utilisation. 
Japan, which makes most of the cars, has the highest walking ratio of 
41%. And even in Germany which is also a big car market has good 
facility for walking and excellent and accessible public transport.

Looking at Public Transportation, I feel that just investing in Public 
transport and buying Mercedes or Volvo buses will not solve the problem 
but the accessibility to the whole transit system in both terms economy 
(ticket prices) and physical and social (nearness, frequency and option 
for vulnerable groups) will be the key for a public transport success. 
If Bangalore can reduce the speed of cars and make the buses faster and 
efficient and accessible, in Litmans words "Efficiency and Equity", the 
transit will be a success and Bangalore can retain its fame of being the 
"Garden City" otherwise I am sure if no action is taken, from personal 
inspection in BKK, it is going to become a "Garage City".

Sincerely,
Sunny

Santhosh Kumar. K
Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies,
Mahidol University,
Thailand
sksunny at gmail.com
sunnysanthosh at gmail.com

sustran-discuss-request at list.jca.apc.org wrote:
> Why are you appalled?  You should celebrate that the people have money to spend!!
>
> What are you doing in Bangalore?
>
> Cheers.  setty.
>
> Dr. V. Setty Pendakur
> Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia
> Honorary Professor, China National Academy of Sciences
> Chair, TRB-ABE90 & Director, ITDP 
>
> President
> Pacific Policy and Planning Associates
> 702--1099 Marinaside Crescent
> Vancouver, BC, Canada  V6Z 2Z3
> Phone: 604-263-3576; Fax:604-263-6493
>