Nothing Peter Mann, the new transport chief for Bristol, has said suggests that things are going to change.

What we needed to hear was someone fizzing with ideas, saying from the start transport in Bristol is a disgrace and needs completely overhauling.

But what did we get? Sadly only platitudes, cliches and the cautious words of a career civil servant.

He doesn't want to get tough with First. So presumably they can carry on in their own sweet way. And their passengers will be left to bemoan the high fares and lack of reliability.

But he does want to cuddle up to the unelected West of England Partnership and their desperate plan for guided bendy buses.

What we needed to hear was someone who wants to shake things up. For heaven's sake Mr Mann, we are going to be paying you £92,000 a year. For that we want more than just a yes man who quotes his experience in Oxford at us.

So here are some thoughts.

There are miles of unused and underused railway track as well as old track beds in and around Bristol. Bringing those back into use really could make a difference.

Then look at buses. You might not want a row with First but there are plenty of people who do. Only when fares are cheaper and the bus service is more reliable will people use it.

Then look at park and ride sites. We need more. The head of First Sir Moir Lockhead was arguing for a network of them in Bristol almost a decade ago – and still we have only four.

As they say don't sweat the small stuff. Parking in bus lanes is already being tackled. And as for worrying about cyclists. Whatever some will have you believe, they form only a very small part of the picture.

And bikes are not the answer to easing our congestion problems.