On Sun, 4 Jul 2010 13:58:30 +0100, "Chris Read"
wrote:

The bus network is pretty comprehensive, but I agree taxis can be more
convenient if in a hurry or cost is no object. That's why I didn't suggest
taxis be banned from the CC area, just, effectively, made more expensive for
users.

They are expensive already compared with other modes of transport,
particularly where an Oyster card or Travelcard is held and the extra
journey is marginal (i.e. free). So a price increase is going to make
little difference.

What I think is required for taxis etc is a bit of an infrastructure
change. It causes serious problems when taxis stop in bus lanes and
on Red Routes to load/unload. I would therefore propose that this is
prohibited, thus requiring the taxis to use appropriate side streets,
and that additional "taxi stop" laybys are built at locations where
there is a large demand for boarding and alighting taxis.

Another option is to go for a German approach to road layout - run the
bus lanes up the middle rather than the sides of the road, and have
bus stops at traffic lights so users can cross to a middle of the road
stop "platform". This would mean that a taxi or private car stopping
will block the general traffic lane, not the bus lane, so the bus
continues to have priority.

Neil
--
Neil Williams in Milton Keynes, UK
To reply put my first name before the at.