In the wake of proposals by the Association of Rail Operating Companies
(ATOC) to impose congestion charging on rail users, the Motor Cycle
Industry Association (MCI) says that the incentive to switch to
motorcycling is stronger than ever. The Association is highlighting the
top ten reasons why bikes and scooters are the best congestion busters.
ATOC has announced that it is considering introducing a congestion
charge on trains to help reduce the expected increase in the number of
rail passengers over the next ten years.
The policy will make travelling off-peak more attractive, but there will
be no benefits to working people, or people in education who need to
travel during the peak hours. Trains are already more expensive to
travel on during the working rush hour and further hikes could push
people off the rails.
Passengers have complained that they feel trapped by charges -
congestion charges for driving a car into London and now, additional
charges for commuting by train.
MCI is advising people that there is an alternative which attracts no
such charges, is cheaper to run on day to day basis, is far more
reliable for door to door journeys and is unaffected by congestion. The
Motorcycle.
MCI has identified ten key benefits of taking to a motorcycle, scooter
or moped and why people should use them to ride to work;
- Journey times - they are almost always vastly reduced.
- Freedom - to travel where and when you want to, without
the constraints of public transport timetables
- No user charges beyond the cost of petrol, insurance and
the tax disk
- Pollution - the use of scooters and motorcycles can help
cut pollution
- Cost-effective - can be cheaper to buy and run
- Parking - motorcycles and scooters take up less parking
space
- Less Stress - motorcycles allow users to leave home
later and arrive earlier, more refreshed and ready for work
- Overcrowding - motorcycle use avoids the daily grind of
delays and hot stuffy, overcrowded buses and trains
- Congestion - Motorcycles are almost unaffected by
congestion and because it doesn't contribute to hold ups, helps to
reduce road congestion for everyone
- Flexible - Motorcycles can be used for all types of
journey, as and when riders wish
Craig Carey-Clinch MCI's Director of Public Affairs said, "The reality
of public transport is ever increasing prices and daily aggro, coupled
with ever reducing efficiency and convenience. And now ATOC proposes to
impose congestion charging.
"Motorcycles offer an alternative that is streets ahead of other modes
in terms of convenience, flexibility, individual freedom and reduced
journey times. It is clear that the powered two wheeled advantage is
ahead of the daily grind of the four wheeled traditional modes of
transport. No wonder people are increasingly taking to motorcycling and
discovering its fantastic benefits."
