Londoners want choice rather than
charges
We need to cut congestion the proper way by improving the flexibility and responsiveness
of public transport to make it more attractive. We see no reason why London cannot
have a system as good as and hopefully better any European city.
We must help people tackle the challenge of global warming by providing
incentives to replace their cars with low and zero emissions vehicles,
as a part of a wider environmental programme. We must also invest in new
technology to cut congestion and improve traffic flow.
Our proposals include:
A 24/7 transport system
London's public transport
system needs wholesale modernisation. In particular we need to put
passengers first and ensure that there is timely, efficient and safe
transport available when people want to travel. We must examine the best
of systems in other countries and incorporate them into London's public
transport. We need a twenty-first century system for a twenty-first
century city. We will cut fares rather than increase them.
Integrated tickets
As a first step toward the full
integration of public transport, we must introduce timed tickets that
will be valid for 2 hours on all modes of transport. Thus a journey that
involves transfers will not require the purchase of separate tickets.
Lower fares
We should abolish the differential between
cash and Oyster; bus and tube fares - a ticket will cost £1. We will
must the current zone 1-6 system, making travel on public transport
far better value. A £1 ticket will give you unlimited travel for 2
hours, a day ticket would be £2.
Making buses work better
We need to make the bus
system more flexible. In particular, we need to link capacity to demand
and avoid bus jams. We will review
effectiveness of the "bendy" buses and remove them if we find that they
contribute to rather than help congestion.
New small buses
We must introduce a network of small buses like those that operate
successfully in many European cities. These will run on streets not
currently served by larger buses. These small buses will give people
greater flexibility, reduce congestion and be environmentally friendly.
School buses
In many areas, the school run is a major source of congestion. We must introduce a
comprehensive system of school buses, that will operate to standards that
will give parents maximum reassurance about their children's safety.
New trolley buses
We believe that the Routemaster feature that enabled people to jump on and
off when they want was especially valuable in central London. We will
introduce easy access trolley buses as replacements for the Routemaster
- these will be electrically powered using overhead cables. For wheelchair
bound disabled people, we will introduce free taxis.
More conductors & guards
We believe that conductors and guards are essential to improving
passenger safety and security. We must bring them back.
Making the underground work
The haphazard nature of the service must be addressed. Underground
trains need to run to a proper timetable and the service must become
reliable and predictable. The trains also need to run through the night.
Installing air conditioning
In the summer, London's public transport is blighted by heat. Sometimes
conditions are little short of disgusting and would be illegal for
animals. We must introduce air conditioning.
A seat for every
commuter
People should not be forced to stand on public transport. We must
increase the capacity of the network to deliver a seat for commuter.
A new approach to taxis
The taxi system is stuck in the past, improving its operation gives a
real opportunity to cut congestion by getting people out of their cars.
It requires wholesale change to take account of new technology.
We believe that London
taxi fares are too high. Lots of taxis drive around empty, while
potential customers are deterred by high costs. We must cut taxi fares, improve the provision of taxis, make them
environmentally friendly, while taking measures to ensure that the income of
taxi drivers is enhanced.
We must introduce a comprehensive shared taxi scheme. This will help fill a gap
in London's public transport between buses and London taxis. The shared taxis will operate
with environmentally friendly vehicles on fixed routes with a flat fare and no
tipping.
Improving pavements and installing car charging points
We should embark on a major programme to improve London's pavements. We
should ensure that cracked paving stones are replaced and that pavements
are made flat and tripping hazards are removed. In the process, we must install charging points for electric and plug in hybrid cars.
Cameras & humps - uninsured motorists
We believe that Londoners are plagued by traffic cameras designed to
catch them out. Everyone who drives knows that there are instances when
things are not black and white and the conditions require judgment
rather than the rigid application of rules. For all those who have been
caught, many more have been lucky to escape fines and points. We should
not seek to make money out of road safety, will give people the benefit
of the doubt while taking more rigorous action against dangerous drivers
and persistent offenders. In particular, we should focus on those motorists
who drive without insurance and fail to licence their vehicle.
We must remove unnecessary speed humps.
Compensating individuals for unfair treatment by Transport for London
We should compensate those who have been unjustly treated by Transport for
London's heavy handed administration of the congestion charge during its
5 year operation.
Helping the environment
To improve London's environment we must encourage the use of more fuel
efficient transport, both public and private. For private cars, we
should
introduce a range of incentives to encourage the use of environmentally
friendly cars. These should include refunding the VAT on the purchase of
new low emission vehicles, establishing charging points for electric and
plug in hybrid cars along every street and revising parking rules to
encourage private car sharing.
New technology
New technology offers real opportunities to cut congestion. Our proposals include better
technology to provide real time information on public transport, e.g. the position of buses
and driver information systems to help them avoid congested routes.
Designing congestion away
We believe that congestion has been increased by many of the recent
changes to London's road infrastructure. We are committed to getting
traffic moving again and we must review areas such as bus lanes, traffic
lights and artificial dead ends - to improve traffic flow. We also
believe London needs more bridges across the Thames.
Sources of funding
Some of our policies could be delivered at very little cost, others
require massive investment. London and the South East contribute at
least £30bn net a year to public finances. We will campaign for more of
this money to be spent on improving transport in London. A vote for us,
is a vote to put London first. Our plans do not necessarily mean that
other parts of the UK will lose out. It is time for central government
to put its house in order. The Taxpayers Alliance estimate that nearly
£100bn is wasted each year. |
