So...what are your views? Is there really a transport problem? Do the benefits of motorized transport outweigh the costs? Are there any minor (or perhaps major) changes you personally feel could make our present transport system more sustainable?

Transport is becoming a problem, we have heavily relied on motorized transport for too long and now we don't seem to be able to cut down on the usage.  This is true for personal use and industrial (transporting goods).

For companies the benefits do outweigh the cost, lorries can be transported with goods across the world. Using lorries is much cheaper than other forms of transport such as using trains. The goods could be transported to the train station but would probably need some sort of transportation to the place the goods needed to be. As this country deals in imports and exports on a big scale there is no way to avoid transporting. 

I know of many people that use their car just for themselves and aren't involved in any car sharing schemes. I think the choice of using a car would be first for many people which isn't very green. I don't drive and compared to the majority of my friends I am the odd one out. People like convenience, for people to stop using transport, their job, children's school, shopping facilities and health centre would all have to be walking or cycling distance. This doesn't seem to be possible so many use motorized transport to get to these places . Also the safety aspect needs to be considered. Walking and cycling in the dark are not always safe which is another reason motorized transport is favored.

All transport apart from walking and cycling are unsustainable but there are some ways that the transport systems we use could be more sustainable. If public transport was made more desirable then maybe more people would use it. Buses have a bad reputation that they don't run on time and aren't clean. If the buses image was changes maybe people would be encouraged to use it and so be more sustainable than using their car. Bus stations are always dark and dirty looking places (especially at Northampton) if it was made more lighter and a nice place to wait for your bus it would be more desirable to use. 

        Also safer bike routes for cyclists. Some Redways (such as in Milton Keynes) are not very well lit and even thought you have a light on your bike it does not seem safe. Many cyclists choose to use the road which can be dangerous too, more cycle paths need to be made on the side of roads. Also education to children in schools, college and university students of the highway code so better understanding of how to use a bike safely on the roads. 

 

A useful website of bus timetables. 

http://www.traveline.org.uk/index.htm