Zoë Billingham is right to argue that transport is crucial for improving regional economies (England’s transport system is a creaking misery – and an easy win for Keir Starmer, 3 January). But Labour should be wary of simply endorsing the massively expensive HS2 scheme, which delivers little for deprived areas of the north, as evidenced by its very low benefit-cost ratio. Instead, the party should focus on local improvements to bus services, the lifeblood of many communities, and on tram schemes in urban areas that have demonstrable wider benefits.
When he was transport secretary, John Prescott drew up plans to build 20 tram schemes in the first decade of the 21st century. Sadly, only one was completed because his efforts were not supported by his New Labour colleagues, but it is time for Keir Starmer to come up with similar visionary ideas – and this time to see them through.
Christian Wolmar
London
While Britain undoubtedly has an entrenched car culture, is it really true that the rising cost of motoring is trapping people in “transport poverty”? Your report (‘Entrenched car culture’ leaves millions of Britains in transport poverty, 9 January)notes that people are reluctant to get out of their cars because bicycles are too expensive. But oddly, no mention is made of another option – the bus.
In England, 88% of people live within a short walk of a bus stop with at least one service an hour. And for the next three months the cost of a single fare on most buses is capped at £2. Two-thirds of public transport journeys are by bus. On average, each Briton travels 107 miles by bus every year. In reality, few people truly need to feel trapped by car ownership. Switching more journeys from car to bus can be a solution.
Mark Anderson
Customer and commercial director, The Go-Ahead Group
