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TRANSPORT

Some people think that in order to deal with the problem of congestion in cities, privately owned vehicles should be banned in city centres, while others consider this to be an unrealistic solution. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

With unprecedented growth of population and increasing number of private vehicles, many cities are confronted with severe traffic congestion problems. While some people insist prohibiting private transport in the central business district is the appropriate measure to tackle the congestion issue, others disagree with this idealism. Personally, I believe restriction on private vehicles could be an effective preventative measure to tackle the congestion problem, provided that the government is willing to allocate more monetary resources to support the public transport system development.

It is evident that banning private cars to enter the city area can bring substantial benefits. Environmental research has consistently indicated that car exhaust is a main source to air pollution. There will be significantly less vehicles if commuters decided to take public transport because compared to private car, public vehicles has the capacity to carry more passengers. With less vehicles emitting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, the residents in the urban site can enjoy better life quality and road condition. Moreover, restricting traffic flow and promoting pedestrian friendly routes can boost the local economy. For instance, in London, the number of customers almost doubled after the shopping area was made pedestrian friendly.

However, the downsides of forbidding private motor vehicles into the city should be taken into considerations. Public transport system can sometimes be unreliable. For example, in Sydney, there are frequent train driver strikes and road work without notices. Without access to personal transport, travelling can be extremely difficult or even impossible at times. Besides, public transportation may be inconvenient. Public transport runs on a set schedule and these times may not suit those with travel demands. Complaints such as a serious loss of time, bus arriving late, are often heard. But overall, these obstacles may be overcome provided that the government is willing to commit more funding towards public transport system and relevant infrastructure construction.

In conclusion, after considering both the merits and risks, had public transport system be more reliable, I would tend to support the banning of private transport in the populated urban centre.