If free public transport is good
enough for baby boomers, why isn’t it good enough for those poor who would
benefit from it most?
Is it just me, or is there a certain level of middle class angst about John Minto’s plan for free public transport?
To me, free public transport is the
exact type of radical realignment Auckland needs if it is to be congestion
free, environmentally positive and socially conscious all at the same time.
The flubber gusted grand olde
doynenne of the NZ Herald, Brian Rudman, was having none of Minto’s plan however. He
grumped and growled and sounded like every other selfish baby boomer gold card
carrying free public transport oldie who is being told their favorite subsidy
might be expanded to the greedy poor.
Cry me a fucking river Brian.
This is public transport as social
policy. Transport goals can’t be left to the tech-geekdom of Auckland Transport
Blog (bless their hearts) or else it just becomes a mechanical equation for
free flow traffic. I’m wanting engineering deeper than the level of a plumber
for something as important as public transport.
Free public transport would do more
to put money directly into the pockets of the poor in a meaningful way. The
free wifi and regularity of services would generate the REAL benefits a car
addicted culture need to see before they can go cold turkey.
Having to listen to gold card
eligible pundits whinge against being forced to sit next to the gypsies on the
grounds of cost as they slink off yet again to Waiheke Island for another $70
round trip subsidy to visit the wineries is just the height of
get-over-yourself-please.
If free public transport is good
enough for baby boomers, why isn’t it good enough for those poor who would
benefit from it most?
- See more at:
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/07/17/middle-class-angst-at-free-public-transport/#sthash.4O6mP0Bt.dpuf
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