Starmer's vision quest

[BoldonLad]

I can't see what it can't be free (buses in particular). Just because it isn't anywhere else that isn't a reason on it's own. It would just take a political judgement to divert money from elsewhere. It's already free for over 60s in various parts of the country. As for trains, free would be a stretch but as you say it could certainly be much cheaper. Transport For Wales are trying and have introduced a London style tap in and out system that caps the cost. Unfortunately, and annoyingly, you can only use it on their trains so even though I can use a normal return ticket to travel on a train from any operator between say Newport and Cardiff I can't use many of those same trains using tap and go (you tap in and out at the station so you would probably get away with it in most cases but if someone checks tickets on the train you end up having to buy another one). It's things like that which really need sorting out and also linking bus tickets with train tickets for a capped daily rate. The fact that you can use the same ticket on any train suggests there's a system in place for sharing out the fare so I'm at a loss why it can't work on the tap and go system.

Would the free travel be UK wide? Or, would we have the dictation as now, where “English” passes do not work in Scotland, wales, and, I assume vice-versa.

 

[Psamathe]

Any views on Streeting's proposals on tax reform (via Dan Neidle, obvs)? (No Bluesky access required)

https://skywriter.blue/@danneidle.bsky.social/3mme27bcuku23

That's an interest rate of <5% pa. Anybody looking for returns that low should not be investing in funds attracting Capital Gains Tax.

 

[Pross]

Would the free travel be UK wide? Or, would we have the dictation as now, where “English” passes do not work in Scotland, wales, and, I assume vice-versa.

I'd have free buses nationally. Rail would probably just be subsidised.

 

[BoldonLad]

I'd have free buses nationally. Rail would probably just be subsidised.

Does “Nationally” mean UK wide?

 

[AuroraSaab]

I wouldn't make buses free, but I'd heavily subsidise them. I've lived in areas with free buses and some kids happily spend all day arsing about on buses being a nuisance. Even if they had to pay say 30p a trip it would reduce it. I think the Scottish government were considering taking the passes from kids who were being antisocial but by the time that comes around they've had chance to make a lot of other passengers miserable.

 

[BoldonLad]

Any views on Streeting's proposals on tax reform (via Dan Neidle, obvs)? (No Bluesky access required)

https://skywriter.blue/@danneidle.bsky.social/3mme27bcuku23

Haven’t read it all yet, but, harmonization or rates, and, inflation indexation seem like sensible ideas. Not so sure about his apparent aversion to “long term”, I thought obsession with short term gain was one of UK’s problems?

 

[icowden]

Trains are competing with cars. There are lots of trains so you can often get where you want when you want. But unlike cars if you make a decision not well in advance, there is a cost premium.

A secondary problem is that trainlines don't sometimes join up.

We have a station near us that goes to London Waterloo. All the line into London tend to be radial going outwards from London. Perfectly reasonable. However, if my daughter needs to get to Slough for a medical placement which starts at 8am, the journey via train involves going all the way into London Waterloo, getting the tube to Tottenham Court Road and then getting the train all the way back out again. Almost 2 hours starting at 5.56am with only 12 minutes to get from the station to the hospital (AKA not enough time unless you take a taxi).

By bus, she'd have to get a lift for the first part of the journey to a bus stop in Upper Halliford (or walk for an hour) then get 4 different busses.

It takes 45 minutes to drive there - it's only 18 miles.

 

[Pblakeney]

It takes 45 minutes to drive there - it's only 18 miles.

It's only an hour-ish by bicycle. Just sayin'.

 

[Pross]

Does “Nationally” mean UK wide?

Buses are generally a fairly local thing (I wouldn't count National Express etc.) but throughout the country yes. Basically I'd like to see people being able to get back and forth to work / school / college and also to encourage people to hop on a bus for a journey rather than getting in a car.

 

[briantrumpet]

It gets much more competitive when you're over 60, and can book ahead. Some of the off-peak day returns are an absolute steal. I could do an off-peak day return to Gunnislake for £9.75 total. In fact, I think I might do that, and see my Tavistock farming friends next week!

Well, I've booked a ticket, whether or not my farming friends are free. The price is crazy: £9.75 return for about four hours on the train there and back, including the stunning bit of Brunel line along the coast from Exminster to Newton Abbot, and then along the tortuous line from Plymouth to Gunnislake going over the Calstock viaduct.

Could you put the kettle on, @First Aspect, please?

 

[icowden]

It's only an hour-ish by bicycle. Just sayin'.

Yeah... she's not going to want to cycle for an hour after a 12 hour shift (or before it for that matter!).

 

[BoldonLad]

Buses are generally a fairly local thing (I wouldn't count National Express etc.) but throughout the country yes. Basically I'd like to see people being able to get back and forth to work / school / college and also to encourage people to hop on a bus for a journey rather than getting in a car.

Are you deliberately avoiding answering?

if I live in (say) Berwick-upon-Tweed (England), it is not unreasonable to assume you may travel the few miles into Scotland, for work, or leisure pursuit.

 

[Pblakeney]

Yeah... she's not going to want to cycle for an hour after a 12 hour shift (or before it for that matter!).

Dunno. I felt much better when I cycle commuted than when I drove for my 12 hour shifts.

 

[briantrumpet]

Dunno. I felt much better when I cycle commuted than when I drove for my 12 hour shifts.

And that was without a super-duper e-bike, I suspect.

That said, there are 18-mile rides and 18-mile rides. As I've noted before, I'd not commute even the six miles into Exeter from Dunsford other than on nice days in the summer. You'd have to be an absolute raving lunatic to consider it.

 

[Pblakeney]

And that was without a super-duper e-bike, I suspect.

That said, there are 18-mile rides and 18-mile rides. As I've noted before, I'd not commute even the six miles into Exeter from Dunsford other than on nice days in the summer. You'd have to be an absolute raving lunatic to consider it.

I will concede that my time of cycling was outside of rush hour so reasonably pleasant regarding traffic, and some well designed cycle paths.
There were 3 hills either way but none of them went over 6% so that too was relatively pleasant. No narrow hedgerow single lanes either.