Transport Archives - The Myth Breaker

The On-Board Airline Sales Charade

on board airline sales charade

Ever since people paid to travel in aircraft, the airlines have worried about how to feed them while they fly. For the first eighty years of air travel the answer was ‘on board catering’; basic for economy, and superior for the first class, and later, business class. On long haul it was always recognised that passengers must eat, but on short haul, under three hours, food in flight was minimal. But at least it kept the cabin crew occupied, as safety and security, although an essential function, does not give the crew much to do.

Then along came the ‘budget’ airlines. [Read more…] about The On-Board Airline Sales Charade

Heathrow Third Runway: A Horrible Mistake

Transport

The third Heathrow runway would be a mistake of gigantic proportions. I can categorically say that the building of another runway at Heathrow would be about the most stupid and unpleasant political act you could imagine in this day and age. There was a full Royal Commission in 1968 which completed the most comprehensive study of its kind and recommended a site for a new Third London Airport. The question of increasing the capacity of existing airports was raised at that time but rejected on both cost and operational grounds. Stansted was considered by the Commission but rejected early on for various environmental, technical and access reasons. [Read more…] about Heathrow Third Runway: A Horrible Mistake

The Motorists Manifesto

Transport

Even though a majority of voters in the London area drive a vehicle, that part of their lives has been ignored by recent policies of London’s Mayors. In fact, London has experienced years of heavy prejudice against the means of transport used by almost everyone. Since 1974, 25% of the streets of London have been removed from traffic use. They have been converted into pavements, bus lanes, cycle lanes, roundabouts and even little gardens. But in the same period the traffic in London has more than doubled. [Read more…] about The Motorists Manifesto

High Speed Hijinks on the HS2.

Transport

It is curious how, from nowhere, there was suddenly this summer a caucus opposing the proposed High Speed 2 railway. It was the summer season, Parliament was out, no bill was due, and in fact nothing was happening to promote HS2. But out of the shadows came Lawson, and then Mandelson, saying that HS2 was a waste of money. They were quickly followed by Darling and Prescott and finally the Public Accounts Committee. Then there was a critical report from the Institute of Economic Affairs, a little known right wing pressure group. All of which was then orchestrated by the BBC and The Independent.

Death of the Gatwick Express

Transport

We mourn the passing of the Gatwick Express.

A casualty of untrammeled competition foisted on the railway system by a doctrinaire government. Such competition, even with regulation, means that outcomes are driven solely by financial considerations which ignore wider social costs and benefits. It results in narrow and eventually damaging commercial decisions, which mean that good and useful services are sacrificed. This is the story of the Gatwick Express.