A previous post and article about a strange political party in the Netherlands has raised quite a serious issue. OAPs get free public transport in the UK. These days OAPs are probably better off than most students and unemployed. Why are they getting free public transport, and heating, when there are many more people who have no income whatsoever?

In addition to this, the inner city congestion would largely be removed by free public transport for all. This kind of publicly funded operation is actually of benefit to society as a whole. It would reduce inner city congestion, it would reduce costs of the transport system if nobody is required to collect money or inspect passes.

Inner city congestion is one of the worst things in society at the moment, and a removal the requirement to pay for public transport would destroy the need to drive or take alternative transport.

There is certainly a case in London for removing all of the officious public transport police that do nothing more than be jobsworths. They could be employed more effectively elsewhere ensuring safety of the public transport system.

Obviously the costs of such a program would be enourmous, but the social benefits would also be enormous. I would suggest it is almost as big an issue as the NHS which is publicly funded.

Certainly cities such as London, Leeds, Edinburgh and Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham might benefit from such a locally funded scheme.

Tourism might increase as well!

In my opinion the congestion charge is the laziest thing i have ever heard.

Instead of doing some proper traffic planning they just reduce the number of cars by introducing charges and fines.

From an environmental point of you, a proper traffic system is not the worst solution.

There should be something like the M25 inside of London....running through tunnels partially....like in Frankfurt or Munich. If people need to stop at traffic lights or roundabouts, this is just a waste of energy anyway....

The problem with congestion charging is that it excludes. Sure it might reduce congestion, but it also create a very negative society. Positive solutions which include are often more effective at reducing tension in societies. How much money is being wasted monitoring and policing congestion charging?

I don't think building more roads is the solution where you have limited space. Underground roads are effective in bypassing inner cities, but they are not practical in all cities.

I have driven through many European cities, and Brussles is a nightmare. (it has underground roads) I do not recall any problem in German cities, nor with the roads. I do remember there being a distinct lack of petrol stations in Germany, and running out of diesel at the most inopportune times. Oh, and 24 hour unmanned service stations which will not accept foreign cards!

Re-oaps getting free transport as opposed to unemployed and students. In this day and age I'm sure travel costs for unemployed seeking work are paid. I appreciate they have other reasons to travel, shopping etc but as they get free medical, dental, council tax etc there has to be a limit. Oh and they get travel to medical appointments. As for students, there's no comparison with OAPs because, by general definition, students are young and healthy - won't kill them to walk or cycle! I know I had to!

They should bring back the Trams.

I like cycle friendly cities. However, I can honestly say that painting a line on a road has absolutely no effect whatsoever. Go to places like Brugges or Amsterdam and see what bycycle friendly really means. It means having somewhere sensible to park a bike, somewhere sensible to ride a bike (places where cars can't go), and somewhere to stop for some freshly squeezed orange juice.

Trams are a good idea, but they must replace buses. Get rid of all petrol driven cars and buses. Consider what they are doing in India near the Taj Mahal. Why are only electric vehicles allowed near the Taj Mahal? Why are put puts being obliterated in Agra?

When you know the answer why do we never adopt the solution?