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The way we travel now
by David Whiting

I live near Felixstowe, where it is very difficult to rely on public transport. I must confess I don’t enjoy the hassle of driving to an airport, parking at the extortionate fees they charge. It’s okay driving to Stansted and Luton is not too bad either. I have driven to Heathrow and Gatwick, but would prefer to leave the car at home. There’s always the outside chance of a broken windscreen, puncture or other breakdown or accident on the way to an airport, traffic hold-ups etc.

A few years ago we had a reasonable coach service from Ipswich serving Stansted, Heathrow and Gatwick airports, departing every three hours, which we used several times. It saved the hassle of driving and parking fees. Unfortunately this service has been discontinued.

We could travel by National Coach Company but travel times are less regular and would involve travelling into Victoria Coach Station and then out again, so it's not really convenient.

Rail travel is much more sensible, but connections are far worse. This involves a journey into one London station, then either expensive taxi or an awkward underground connection with luggage across the city, then another outward journey.

Rail travel is also too expensive compared to other means of travel - perhaps the cost of petrol should be increased to make rail travel more competitive, but really rail is over-priced and inconvenient. If there were more convenient rail connections to a central station (a rail version of Victoria Coach Station), or more direct services, and bus connections to these rail stations, then perhaps the public would make more use of them.

Our holiday this year included pick-up from home and return to our home address in a private vehicle, so that was an excellent service.

I also feel that cheap air tickets are detrimental to travel and to the ozone layer. The cost of air tickets should reflect not only the true cost of travelling by air but also the damage being done to life on this planet. Business and charter flights could be less expensive; but flights costing 99p here, £4.99 there, £9.99 somewhere else, are only causing more traffic on the roads and more pollution. If the airlines can’t fill their aeroplanes at regular prices they should combine flights and fly less often.

I think that by around 2020 there will have to be a major revolution in travel. Oil stocks around the world will be dwindling while the population spirals out of control. New forms of energy will have to be developed, but eventually air travel using oil will be impossible. Will dirigibles return to the skies? Will road and rail travel be electric? Will all shipping return to rowing - triremes and whatever? Will solar power be a major force? Perhaps nuclear power may be inevitable, for ships at least. I feel myself fortunate to live at this time!

First published in VISA issue 69 (October 2006)