It is good to see a serious discussion in your columns of the traffic crisis engulfing Brighton and Hove but there are two issues I think need further exploration.
Firstly, the term "rapid transit" is bandied about as though we were being offered a modern tram system or, at least, a guided busway akin to that under construction in Crawley.
But there seems to be no intention of reserving more of our streets solely for buses and taxis or using new technology.
Therefore, it would be more honest to junk the euphemism: We're talking diesel buses, which go as fast as the rest of the traffic.
Secondly, while I admire the performance and branding of the Brighton & Hove Bus Company, there is a too-easy equation of the interests of the company with those of the city's populace.
We need to remember, despite the name, the company is a division of the Go-Ahead Group, an entirely commercial venture, not an old-style public utility.
Accordingly, shouldn't there be more companies offering services or at least a regular competition for the franchise to run what is, in effect, a monopoly arguably comparable to the privatised rail network?
That said, hats off to the bus company for its brilliant Saver ticket scheme, which ensures a trip to the town centre can be cheaper (and, on occasion, quicker) by bus than by car (once the time and cost of finding a parking place is taken into account).
-Rev Rob Esdaile, Falmer
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