How_Can_Households_Be_Discouraged_from_Using_Private_Transport_

How can households be discouraged from using private transport' As the level of wealth increases, so do people owning cars. China and India are both enjoying the freedom and prestige that car ownership brings. In Australia and other developed countries, it is common for families to have more than one car per adult in the family. The problem for modern society is to reduce the number of cars on the road without removing the benefits that they bring to the individual. There are a number of different methods that can be used to decrease the number of cars on the road. The first one is to increase the public transport system. Governments should make sure that there are adequate facilities, including trains and buses. In Brisbane there has been a big move to encourage people to cycle to work instead of driving. A lot of money has been spent on creating bikeways. Another option for the government is to add a charge for driving in the city. The 'congestion' charge has been very successful in London, where drivers have to pay about fifty Australian dollars to drive in the city centre. The government could put a higher tax on fuel to help people make the right choice about driving or taking public transport. Campaigns that encourage car-pooling also help reduce the number of cars travelling in the rush hour. This is encouraged even further by the introduction of 'transit lanes' for cars carrying more than two occupants. Overall, there are a variety of ways that people can be persuaded to leave the car at home and all of them will help not only the environment but the individual's fitness levels as well. 282 words.