https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-wales-51108586
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Unsurprising, and no issue with it as it's not financially effecting Cardiff residents. Won't be surprised if the council does chase a workplace parking levy at some point given its massive success in Nottingham. Given Cardiff's pollution levels, this really isn't a shocking move, and a good way of funding the metro. If it ever happens.
Dont think that a £2 congestion charge will be too much of a deterrent to get travellers onto other forms of transport. Needs to be a fiver at least.
It's not supposed to be a deterrent it's just another method of increasing Tax. Funny how somebody on here stated that the Global extinction protest was welcomed by the council so they could test impact without getting any comeback.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Bloop
It wasn't me who said that on here, neither did I see someone see it. However, I thought it myself at the time as the council seemed very lax to proceedings.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ribeye
It's only a method of increasing tax if everyone carries on as normal. The idea behind it is to change the way people go into the city.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ribeye
Should be for everyone including Cardiff residents , to force utilisation of public transport and create more funds to invest in more trains and buses .
I think it's about time for a transport rethink. Reroute trains down Queen St, demolish the castle and build a 21st century transport hub there.
Yeah, that's great. Trains once an hour from Merthyr, Ebbw Vale, Rhymney. Buses twice an hour but takes 2 hours to get from Ebbw Vale to Cardiff. This only works in London because public transport exists. It's not enough of a deterrent to stop people travelling into the City from these places so, yeah, it is a tax increase.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee
"It won't affect the people of Cardiff", maybe but if it becomes a hassle to pay the congestion charge then maybe people will not go to Cardiff as often. Great news for the high street. Not.
More funds to invest in traffic cameras more likely.Quote:
Originally Posted by life on mars
Trains from those places are every half an hour during the day.Quote:
Originally Posted by CCFCC3PO
None of this will be implemented without improvements in public transport.
I wonder if there'll also be better park and ride as well.
How would it work? Would it be a vehicle recognition thing which would immediately recognise through the number plate the address that the vehicle is registered to? I’d imagine many firms that have a few bases but only one within the city boundaries would link every works vehicle to their Cardiff address. Perhaps some places like Taffs Well etc would be looking to be ‘adopted’ by CCC rather than RCT. £2 being initially proposed but if it does come off we all know that’ll increase quite rapidly. Two out of town vans that wouldn’t be able to avoid the £2 zone would be costing a firm £20 a week starting off.
From the council who agreed to scrap the bus station right next to the other main public transport service and put some more businesses in its place.Quote:
Originally Posted by life on mars
I cannot remember the last time I drove into the centre, its over a few years now, I;ve walked in twice since xmas and getting the train home, its only a 3.6 mile walk so of course, the vast majority who use the City Centre walking isn't an option, I'm all for banning private cars into the city centre but not without planning and quite frankly I do not think this council has the ability to plan for this. Additionally the majority will not give up their car no matter how expensive it is made, has to be banned with no exception other than for emergency service vehicles, I would like to see Cardiff be a UK leader on this front not a city who just follow others and do it poorly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee
No they're not.
Rhymney to Cardiff
7:43
8:33
9:27
10:27
11:27
12:27
13:27
14:27
15:27
16:27
17:27
then......
20:00 - 2hrs 33 mins after the 17:27
Ebbw Vale
6:35
7:37
8:40
9:38
10:37
11:37
12:37
13:37
14:37
15:37
16:37
17:37
Merthyr is every 30 minutes.
Yes, I knew the Merthyr frequency. I thought Rhymney was as well. My mistake. Obviously not the patronage to have a regular 30 minute service, though that will change with the metro.Quote:
Originally Posted by CCFCC3PO
New park and ride facilities are proposed at j32 and j33 and also near the new St Mellons Parkway stationQuote:
Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee
Cardiff cannot be a leader in this simply because the City Centre on a Saturday is full of people from the Valleys and further afield. Home working is one way to tackle this in the week, but the City is snarled up on a Saturday too. Been getting worse since St Davids 2 because now everyone is heading to the same car park.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nelsonca61
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee
It has to change Eric, but until it does penalising people who have limited options is a tax rise pure and simple.
But the council have said there would be no congestion charge before significant improvements to public transport.Quote:
Originally Posted by CCFCC3PO
Perhaps they'll get moving on the Metro system...
and the St Mellons station...
That's quite a negative attitude, especially considering the climate crises, totally agree regarding home working, I can do 95% of my job sat in the chair I'm sitting in now, and do it more efficiently, with better computer equipment and with a faster internet connection, I will bring this into any annual negotiation this year. British bosses outside government dept.'s are not in tune with this way of working.Quote:
Originally Posted by CCFCC3PO
I should say that I travelled from Ebbw Vale to Cardiff to work every day. The bus was not an option. The train was as expensive as the car, without the convenience. I am conscious about our cars choking the residents of cities, and the 50 mph speed limit to cut on pollution on the A470 road makes a little sense, but also makes motorists feel victimised.
In the end, I took a lower paid job in Blackwood. I also no longer go into Cardiff shopping. I am certain the council doesn't want people to stop going to their city, but they're not going the right way around it.
Sort out public transport first. Then charge people when they have legitimate options.
Define significant.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee
It's hardly negative. As you can see from my other reply, I am conscious of the climate crisis and have taken a decision that has cost me financially to try to cut out travel to Cardiff which is both inconvenient and expensive whichever way you look at it. Changed job last June, and have only been in the City centre once since then.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nelsonca61
Quote:
Originally Posted by CCFCC3PO
Just carry on your downer then.
Pontypridd to Cardiff Trains are very regular as is the 132 Porth to Cardiff.Quote:
Originally Posted by CCFCC3PO
I use a lot of buses , and its noticable how under used they are .
Agreed. How Stagecoach can keep the frequency on the 132 as it is is a mystery.Quote:
Originally Posted by life on mars
No, it's a legitimate question. "Significant" is completely ambiguous.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee
If I was still working in Cardiff, I would challenge you to travel with me from Ebbw Vale to Cardiff and back. Not only was I adding 2 hours to the day travel time, but I was also adding around 90 minutes sitting around waiting for trains, or for work to start at 9am.
I would have to get to Ebbw Vale station at 7:15. Train at 7:37. Arrive in Cardiff 8:35. Get to work at 9am. Leave work at 5pm. Train at 5:40. Into Ebbw Vale at 6:40. Home at 7. on a good day. 12 hours for a 7.5 hour working day.
So, what does significant mean, and how do you see it changing the trip above?
Right, so how do you get to Pontypridd to use these regular buses from, say, Tredegar?Quote:
Originally Posted by life on mars
The X4 goes via Pontypridd, so all these regular buses are not going to make the blindest bit of difference because we're hardly going to jump off the X4 to get on the 132 (or whatever number it was).
It’s a start but this isn’t enough to make a significant difference. Costs nearly £8 return on the train from Caerphilly. Most people won’t bat an eyelid at paying a congestion charge as the alternatives are dire and expensive.
:thumbup:Quote:
Originally Posted by CCFCC3PO
I currently work at Bridgend industrial estate, to get there for an 08.00 start on public transport is not impossible, but by using my car I Leave my house around 06.45, at the desk approx. 07.15 gives time for a cuppa and a read of the news, leave at 17.30, the amount of time to a day for me would be not for consideration using public transport, but would use it if reasonable, I detest driving.
If they are going to introduce the charge any investment should be made in transport options that benefit those outside of the city otherwise it's just a stick and no carrot for commuters.
I live near Aberdare. I've spent the last decade using public transport. The first thing I appreciate with public transport is that it will sometimes take longer and isn't usually as convenient. My wife works near Cathays station. More often than not in the last 6 months she's not been able to get home on the train she wants because of overcrowding. Better than navigating the A470? Probably.Quote:
Originally Posted by CCFCC3PO
Before I moved up here I lived in Canton for 18 months. Didn't need a car. Public transport was so regular. If I missed a bus, I was 5 minutes walk away from avoiding a 10 minute wait. Things go wrong with public transport. It annoys people, but often it cannot be helped.
If your desire is to spend as little time as possible then driving is probably the only solution for you. Personally, I'm happy to trade spending more time travelling on public transport rather than driving. I can have a nap. I can do some work.
Suppose your route was every half an hour. It would make no difference in the morning. A train at 5.10pm might be too early for you to make. What do you want, every 5 minutes so you don't have to hang around?
I think it’s a decent idea, they might aswell get on with implementing electric trolley buses too.
Do any buses go around there nowadays? Would have thought that estate to be a nightmare if you didn't have a car.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nelsonca61
The vicious circle is that, as more people use cars, less use public transport, which then makes less money, less routes, routes being axed. Somewhere like that industrial estate would be difficult to serve with buses.
I often walk around the estate at lunchtime if it's not pissing down with rain!!, I have never seen a bus on the estate, there are some bus shelters on the walking route i take but possibly just relics from years gone by!!.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee
I’ll put my hands up. I do not care what so ever about the environment or climate change. However I am a big fan of public transport in general.
Wales’ transport network is so fragmented. So many different operators running different services. There should be an easy but more importantly cheap way for going on buses and trains without duplicating fares.
Well said.Quote:
Originally Posted by WJ99mobile