Sir – I support Dr Ian East (Letters, April 2), who opposes filthy stupid buses damaging our magnificent city and university.
Buses are ruining Oxford with noise and air pollution, and with congestion due to their sheer numbers and the ludicrous practice of parking at the roadside while the driver sells tickets! Why do we allow this?
What must visiting academics and tourists think?
Other cities worldwide, of comparable population and tourist numbers, have quiet, clean trams:Calgary, Geneva and Salt Lake City are three examples known to me personally; a joy for tourists and residents alike. Tickets are bought in advance, from machines at tram halts and from shops, as one would expect in any modern city.
Besides these aesthetic and life-quality considerations, there are the economics. How can two bus companies find it profitable to run so many buses carrying, for most of the time, so few people?
Recently I walked (yes!) down Banbury Road into town at 5.45am (sic) and was passed by three buses in ten minutes, with fewer than five passengers in total. This is lunacy.
With a tram coming in from each park-and-ride car park every few minutes, Oxford could ban from its centre that other blight, ‘stupid cars’, and the attendant noise, danger, congestion, pollution, signposts and yellow lines.
Like other cities, the entire centre of Oxford could be a pedestrian and cyclist zone: imagine! Come on Oxonians: make yourselves heard.
For too long Oxford’s absurd bus ‘system’ has made a mockery of our otherwise glorious city and university.
Dr Roger Higgs, Oxford
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here