Supporting the Campaign for Better Transport

Feb

2010

I’ve signed up to the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) manifesto this week because we need to do more work on improving public transport.

In the manifesto the CBT says a better transport system means more choice for getting around, including the possibility of leaving the car at home more often.

The manifesto says: “What do we mean by 'better'? Trains and buses that compete with the car in terms of costs and ease: high-quality services; cheap, straightforward fares; public transport we can all use, regardless of mobility; and an integrated system, so that buses and trams and trains and taxi-buses all connect to each other, giving us a door-to-door service.”

That sounds like common sense to me.

Like most residents in Brighton and Hove, I use and support public transport. Lots of people I know have cars (and we need to ensure that people who need cars and vehicles for work and other reasons can continue to use them) but everyone in our City walks, cycles or takes the bus and train sometimes. I want to ensure public transport is used as much as possible and that means improvements. I want to see greater spending and better services from all the public transport in Brighton and for those commuting to and from Brighton.

Personally, I don't have a car so I often use public transport, walk and cycle around the city. I also support the idea of a rapid transit bus system to connect Brighton with nearby towns to help tackle congestion and parking problems.

That’s why I am supporting the CBT Manifesto. And it’s not just a recent conversion because I’m parliamentary candidate: I’ve been committed to public transport for many years.

I was on the CBT board when it was called Transport 2000, the environmental transport campaign, and I remain a member. I have also worked for the railway trade union TSSA as head of policy and firmly support a publicly owned, publicly accountable railway. My campaign is also backed by TSSA and the RMT trade union.

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