Candidates use bus to get people on board
THE race to become Bristol's first elected mayor took to the road – on an iconic London bus.
Several of the mayoral candidates took part in the "bustings" event to discuss transport issues with passers-by on the bus which was parked on the Centre near the Bristol Hippodrome.
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Candidates try to win over voters at a hustings held on a double decker bus in the city centre DB201210030B-005
Mike Wheeler, one of the organisers, said: "We are hoping to show the people of Bristol what major improvements are needed in public transport and to put pressure on the candidates to deliver changes."
The "bustings" was organised by a new pressure group called Together for Transport which is urging the candidates to give their support on key transport issues.
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Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the TSSA union who chaired the debates on the bus, said: "It went very well. Whoever wins this election will not win a second term unless they do something to sort out Bristol's terrible transport mess."
The group has drawn up seven pledges which they say are needed to end the daily traffic jams in the city.
They include:
â Setting up an integrated transport authority to take control of public transport in the Bristol area.
â Introducing smart travel cards in the same way as Oyster Cards in London.
â Free travel for pensioners, the disabled and students.
â Electrification of all rail lines in the Bristol Metro area as part of the Government's plans to modernise the mainline between London and the West Country.
â A forum for transport operators and users to build relationships and share issues.
â A safe and accessible transport network which gives people the confidence to travel safely, allows disabled people to travel easily and promotes the use of public transport at all times of the day.
â A commitment to funding and investment because of the economic, social and cultural value it gives to people.
Bristol 1st candidate George Ferguson said: "I thought it was a brilliant idea to hold this event on a bus. It felt very cosy!"
Lib Dem candidate Jon Rogers said: "It was very nostalgic for me because I used to ride on London buses during my childhood."
And Labour's Marvin Rees said: "I like the idea of travelling around the city in a bus so we can hold 'flash' debates on key issues to find out people's views."
The pledges were drawn up after a meeting involving transport campaigners and representatives from various groups including pensioners, trade unions as well as train and ferry operators.
Comments
by SlotBoy
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 7:51PM
“Another hustings event that did not invite all the candidates and I should know as I am one. These events contravene the rules laid out by the electoral commission about inclusivity. Much like last nights cycling orientated hustings at Burghes Salmon in the enterprise zone. Myself and another candidate were allowed in to watch the debate providing we agreed to behave but were not allowed on the panel. How many more hustings are going to be held without even informing all the official candidates that they even exist?
This mayoral thing is turning into a joke
Here is a link to a BBC story about it
Rich Fisher - Independent”
by Tiny_Steve
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 5:56PM
“@J12345678
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 11:19AM
'If the aim is to reduce congestion then why offer free travel for pensioners, disabled and students? Are these groups using cars and creating traffic jams?'
You've obviously not had to live or work near either of Bristol's universities at the start of term!
Pensioners and most disabled already get free travel so I've no idea what that's about then.
But as you say, easy to make cheap promises, who would pay for it?”
by WestStandEd
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 12:45PM
“Why are they using a London bus? Surely there are iconic Bristol buses available. Out of touch already.”
by Brennus
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 12:36PM
“Where are they going to hold the next hustings....a phone box?
This mayoral election is getting more pointless by the day. Fewer than one in four eligible voters actually bothered to vote either way for an elected mayor. How many will bother to vote in the election itself?
We could well have the ridiculous situation that our elected mayor attracts only 5-10% of voters - that would make a total mockery of democracy.
This really is completely flawed. What's the point of a mayor who can only exercise power over two thirds of the city?
Do Bristolians really think that an elected mayor is the magic bullet, the panacea for Bristol's problems? If they do, they are deluded. The 'extra cash' that the mayor will have at their disposal is an illusion. There is no extra money. There is no extra power.
This is nothing more than a vanity project for the candidates and just another layer of bureaucracy for Bristolians to pay for.”
by J12345678
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 11:19AM
“If the aim is to reduce congestion (and yes we that Bristol's is chronic with lowest speeds in the country) then why offer free travel for pensioners, disabled and students? Are these groups using cars and creating traffic jams? No I suspect it's the workers simply trying to earn a living but who have no other transport choice due to bus routes, frequency or fares. It's all very well giving out free transport to some but it means higher fares for those who do pay.”
by DennisB2012
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 9:47AM
“Two questions.
1) Will the surrounding Councils agree to an "integrated transport authority"? They have not supported such a thing in recent years...... Sounds great, but at what cost?
Many people who work in Bristol travel from the surrounding areas. So the "Bristol area" must extend beyond the boundaries of the City.
2) Free travel for pensioners, students, disabled.... Sounds great, but how much would it cost and who pays?
Perhaps the Post might like to publish how much the current "free" travel for pensioners already costs the Council Tax payers of Bristol - even when some of these travellers do not live in Bristol. Their fares have to be paid for as they occupy seats, which could otherwise be used by fare paying customers.... First Bus is not a charity!!”