Public transport

Public transport surge :

"Patronage has soared in the north-eastern suburbs, particularly on the O-Bahn, and in the outer south.

Total patronage jumped by 80,000 last month in the north-east, compared to the same time last year, and 28,000 in the outer south. But the number of people catching the Glenelg tram fell by 3000, according to Transport Department figures."

The article claims service changes and petrol prices as the reason for our increased patronage of public transport. The petrol prices are no longer so high. The changes to services caused considerable grief and would have been offputting so there has to be more to it than that. I'd like to think we have become environmentally conscious. I'd like to think we have worked out that public transport is a good way to participate in the human race. The northern suburbs and outer southern seem to be where the increases are. Maybe people are fed up with the maniac drivers. You only need one and it really puts the wind up you. There have been some horrendous crashes caused by this small percentage who set their own road rules. These drivers really are dangerous and it is horrible being on the same road as they are. I pulled over one day and went to get vegetables just to get off the same road as some nutter . Likewise today, I got tailgated by a black ute with headlights on and of course they drive too close for you to get the number plate. So maybe people just want a break while the police are obviously out there trying to nail these nutcase drivers. The accidents,though, are enough to put anyone off and it must be traumatic for the police and paramedics, then the hospital staff. It was never this bad. On the up side there have been reports of really cheerful, helpful public transport drivers and that makes a real difference. I know some of them are tested by inconsiderate, stupid passengers, but most of us are really nice and will work with them when they get a nasty or stupid passenger. Not so easy in the quiet hours, but if we use public transport more often, it will mean the drivers also get the benefit of more public protection. Frankly, the rules need to be quite clear as to how you conduct yourself in public and then the drivers are not put in difficult positions. The transit guards on the trains have certainly helped...so maybe we have worked out it's quite fun to go by public transport!!