Let’s be like Estonia
It has long been the policy of the Scottish Socialist Party to provide publicly-owned, free public transport to all of our citizens in order to reduce pollution, poverty and road congestion.
But we have frequently been told by our representatives that the policy would be impractical, despite large sections of the community already travelling free or at reduced fares on buses.
We were therefore delighted to hear that five years after the successful implementation of free public transport in Tallinn, the government of Estonia is planning to make public transport free across the whole country.
This is a policy that works and makes real change in people’s lives.
Transport being operated on a notfor-profit basis would put an end to the constant changes and removal of services that we see in Renfrewshire as local operators refuse to operate routes which, although socially necessary, do not maximise profits to the owners.
We urge Renfrewshire Council to put their weight behind this policy and offer Renfrewshire to be part of a pilot study.
We are certain that all of Renfrewshire’s people, as well as the whole of Scotland, would embrace the results.
John Miller Scottish Socialist Party Renfrewshire Branch
Clean-upsarea wonderfulidea In the Express on May 23, Councillor Carolann Davidson, Renfrewshire Council’s Labour member for Paisley East and Central, was complaining about young schoolchildren turning up for Team Up To Clean Up litter collections – but says adults should be vetted before being allowed to join in.
Oh dear – she should be congratulating Renfrewshire Council.
It has been wonderful to see young people and adults participating in trying to keep Paisley and surrounding areas clean.
I wish other people had the same attitude.
Colin Campbell Anchor Buildings Paisley
We urge Renfrewshire Council to put their weight behind this policy