Cost and convenience

02 July 2010

We all make our travel choices based on a mix of cost and convenience.

Some choices are simple – if you are going to commute long distance into London then you will probably use the train and pay up. However, for other journeys the choice is not so clear.

I met someone the other day who has, courtesy of being ex-British Rail, an off peak first class pass for him and his family. He said that at weekends the family uses the car. So simply making travel free or much cheaper does not necessarily work. Convenience is a key factor for many people especially if they are relatively well off and have other choices.

The best way public transport can help get the country out of recession is to offer effective consumer choice.