| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Hammersmith Bridge’s ‘autonomous pods’ | |
| Posted by: | Jeremy Parkinson | |
| Date/Time: | 27/07/26 12:36:00 |
| Given that it is probably that nearly every piece of the structure will have been replaced by the time the restoration is over, there will in effect be a new bridge. I'm not following your point about buses but it is a key plank of TfL's policy to encourage their use, which is why they are so keen to reopen the bridge. Charging a premium would go against this whereas a toll on cars, motorbikes, vans and lorries wouldn't. In any case, the technical challenges are probably beyond even rocket scientists. There is a flat fare structure on buses which means that passengers scan in but there is no need to scan out. You would have to create an entirely new payment system for the buses crossing the bridge. Presumably concessionary card users and travel card users are exempt and nearly everyone else wouldn't bother paying the extra charge, unless you had inspectors waiting to check every bus. The capital expense of setting up a new system probably would not be covered by the low yield from the charge. The best we can hope for is a fully functioning bus service paid for by all Londoners as we all benefit from it whether we use it or not. |