tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22031270.post116159628150378020..comments2023-11-03T19:05:08.512+11:00Comments on Harry Clarke: Free public transport for the youngUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22031270.post-1161685029873091672006-10-24T20:17:00.000+10:002006-10-24T20:17:00.000+10:00Harry,the obvious reason why people drive to La Tr...Harry,<BR/><BR/>the obvious reason why people drive to La Trobe, is that it takes a month of Sundays to get their by public transport if you don't happen to live out that way. Try getting there from, say, any of the Eastern suburns.<BR/><BR/>You should be glad La Trobe has mega hectares of car-parks -- it is a smart decision by managment. It stops people wasting 10-15% of every day moving their cars in circles so they don't get traffic fines.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22031270.post-1161676321398947922006-10-24T17:52:00.000+10:002006-10-24T17:52:00.000+10:00"I think if bus travel were free there would be a ..."I think if bus travel were free there would be a lot of students who wouldn't buy a car - and the extra social cost would be very low."<BR/><BR/>Free bus travel makes no difference at all to people who don't live near a route - that is, most people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22031270.post-1161674074982099012006-10-24T17:14:00.000+10:002006-10-24T17:14:00.000+10:00There's not a lot of elasticity in car travel dema...There's not a lot of elasticity in car travel demands but where there might be a bit is in income-constrained young people. <BR/><BR/>The mega-hectares of car parks at my university testify to the issue. And public bus fares are quite expensive and the buses travel around often 80% empty. <BR/><BR/>I think if bus travel were free there would be a lot of students who wouldn't buy a car - and the extra social cost would be very low.hchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13799594181016858701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22031270.post-1161673629396950972006-10-24T17:07:00.000+10:002006-10-24T17:07:00.000+10:00Harry, Has anyone considered the perceived cost of...Harry, <BR/><BR/>Has anyone considered the perceived cost of public transport in comparison to driving? It seems to me that what is most important in terms of the economic decision to drive or take public transport is whether it is perceived to be cheaper than driving. By this, I don't mean to include the ongoing costs of car ownership such as registration, but the costs that pop up when doing a very quick comparison (mainly petrol and parking).<BR/><BR/>It seems that if people decide it costs the same (or less) to drive to the football than to take the train then the decision is already made. Following this logic we don't need free public transport, but simply transport that feels cheap enough.<BR/><BR/>So little consideration of the barriers!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22031270.post-1161673284366892342006-10-24T17:01:00.000+10:002006-10-24T17:01:00.000+10:00It does seem particularly timid to simply give peo...It does seem particularly timid to simply give people free tickets on a system that fails to meet so many people's needs. <BR/><BR/>While this will be a great boon for students like me at Melbourne Uni I'm not sure it will be particularly useful for students at Latrobe or Monash. Free or not, most students drive because Public Transport in Melbourne does not meet their needs. <BR/><BR/>Also, graduate students are still left in the cold with no concession or free transport. If transport costs are so onerous then you would think this would apply to both the ugrad student and the post grad students.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22031270.post-1161663576166906542006-10-24T14:19:00.000+10:002006-10-24T14:19:00.000+10:00Anonymous, Most of your points are sound. In my po...Anonymous, Most of your points are sound. <BR/><BR/>In my post I said I was <B>ambivalent</B> about the move. Its not great policy but the costs are not great either and some benefits. <BR/><BR/>But I do disagree with you that heavy subsidies in public transport signify inefficiency if marginal costs are low and there are unpriceable external costs of congestion associated with private car use. I think this is the case. <BR/><BR/>I think there are some external benefits to education - not great but some. <BR/><BR/>Your point about sending them $250 straight is pure 2nd welfare theorem stuff. I agree but happier to give taxpayers dollars for their transport rather than beer.hchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13799594181016858701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22031270.post-1161651510711885742006-10-24T10:58:00.000+10:002006-10-24T10:58:00.000+10:00It is inequitable and expensive. Are they going to...It is inequitable and expensive. Are they going to give students in the country or outer suburbs a discount on their rego? <BR/><BR/>On a geographic level, why should kids wealthy enough to live and study in the inner city or middle Eastern suburbs (the areas with decent public transport) get a handout while the kids in the outer suburbs and country don't?<BR/><BR/>On a class level, why should kids heading to uni get a discount while kids doing apprenticeships or establishing themselves straight off in a lowly paid career do not?<BR/><BR/>We already over-subsidise public transport. A more useful policy would be a discount on car / motorbike rego for young people. A more efficient policy would just be sending each young Victorian a cheque for $250.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22031270.post-1161604192206245682006-10-23T21:49:00.000+10:002006-10-23T21:49:00.000+10:00It seems like the policy of a desperate opposition...It seems like the policy of a desperate opposition with no ideas to me. buy, buy, buy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com