TRANSPORT IN TOWNS. SOME OF THE OPTIONS.

THIS PAPER SPECULATES ON HOW MOTORIZED TRAVEL IN BRITISH TOWNS MAY CHANGE BY THE EARLY PART OF THE NEXT CENTURY, ASSUMING INITIALLY THAT THE INCREASING USE OF CARS AND DECENTRALISATION OF ACTIVITIES WILL CONTINUE. THE RESULTING DETERIORATION IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT WILL CAUSE HARDSHIP TO THOSE WITHOUT ACCESS TO A CAR, INCLUDING SOME MEMBERS OF CAR-OWNING HOUSEHOLDS. THE AUTHOR CONSIDERS WAYS OF MITIGATING OR SLOWING DOWN THESE TRENDS BY: SUBSIDISATION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, REDUCTION IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATING COSTS (REDUCTION IN UNIT COSTS, OPERATING STRATEGIES IN A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT, USE OF MINIBUSES), CHANGES IN THE COST OF PRIVATE TRAVEL (FUEL COSTS, RESTRAINT OF PRIVATE TRAFFIC), INVESTMENT AND PLANNING POLICIES (ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, PUBLIC TRANSPORT INVESTMENTS, URBAN DEVELOPMENT). THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES BY EXAMINING THE INFLUENCE OF POLICY ON FUTURE URBAN TRAVEL PROBLEMS.