What a great big pile of shite Network West Midlands is.

It’s currently running TV ads about how good our public transport ‘network’ is. Why? It won’t fool anyone. I use public transport more than many people, and trust me, the message that we have a decent, cohesive, reliable network isn’t fooling me.

It’s not. It’s shite. It’s better than many people have (like The Bumpkin for example, but it’s still crap. Bus companies only want to run the profitable routes, and compete with each other for them, meanwhile, the less profitable routes get crappy service. Genius!.

A small example: I’m going to Bloxwich tonight. I wish to imbibe alcoholic beverages, so I won’t be driving. A bus journey will take 45 mins or so, and cost £6.80 for two people. A taxi is £7, takes 15 minutes, and takes us door to door….

If I chose to drive, it would take 15 minutes, and since I already own the car, it’s going to cost probably less than £1. That’s making the bus look expensive and unattractive.

Meanwhile, over at Marco Longhi’s blog, road pricing is being discussed. Yep, that’s how to make things better. I’m glad to say that he doesn’t seem to be in favour of it.