Modern management practice ensures that the overused metaphor, “You’re either on the bus or off the bus,” continues to be offered to wavering employees.
Following consultation, the co-construction of a strategic plan and investment in employee professional learning, the bus may stop for some with hopping-off the only plausible solution.
That had me thinking this week, but not metaphorically, more in a literal sense about the number of students on buses to primary schools, which appears to be in decline.
This hypothesis is easily evidenced by morning traffic jams at drop-off points, a variety of new and used cars engaged in dodgem and jostling for limited spaces, very few kids walking to school and even fewer catching the bus.
The reasons for this change in behaviour are numerous including concerns about safety, parents dropping children at childcare or school en route to work, convenience, or consumer demand insisted by youngsters! However, the consequences are significant with increased traffic engaging children, and teachers, on duty, acting as parking management officers.
Two weeks ago, I caught the bus to Hobart and along with emails and a spot of reading, it was a thoroughly enjoyable trip, which brought back several memories. Further, noticing things that you have never seen before, even after years of travel, because you are free from the constant concentration that driving demands, was a pleasurable experience.
Far from unaccustomed to bus travel, (I was a late adopter gaining a driver’s licence…) public transport was my major mode of travel for many years, also influenced by being a one car family.
The bus route would land us extremely close to our destination after departing just across the road from our house. We were rarely late with the timetable working like clockwork ensuring that we arrived at appointments, events or school with time to spare. Bus etiquette, or more directly - where you chose to sit, particularly students who were aiming to avoid torment and appear a bit cool, was often a decision causing concern and consternation. About three-quarters of the way back, if available, was my preferred spot, not the back of the bus, which was for the older kids, nor too close to the front where the juniors sat. Three-quarters was middle of the road, my sweet spot; a bit cool and not drawing unnecessary attention.
But public transport is now less of a consideration in Tasmania because, if you are like me, you rely on your car. In fact, it we were being truthful, many off us would simply drive around the block until we could find a rock-star parking spot outside our desired destination.
Yet, in a larger city like Melbourne, you jump on the tram to travel to meetings, and whilst in Sydney using the train from the airport to the city is far cheaper and timely than a taxi. However, on Tuesday in Hobart and dodging the Dark Mofo revellers looking for a park, I required 45 minutes to travel from North Hobart to Sandy Bay bumper to bumper. Nevertheless, a bus wouldn’t have made it any quicker. There are no priority lanes and the outgoing traffic basically meets the incoming traffic at the foot of the city. Under current circumstances, buses would be gridlocked just as much as cars.
At a business event this week, the impressive Chief Executive of Infrastructure Victoria, Michel Masson, made the point that when there are 5-7% less cars on the road, which occurs during public and school holidays, we feel content with the time taken to travel to work or end point.
He also offered that, “If you (government) have a dollar, spend it on public transport.” Additionally, it was suggested that those who can least afford the inconvenience of being stuck in traffic spend the most time in jams, with-inner city residents using cars because of choice and the lack of public transport options.
With positive net population, more students and tourists, we need to be strategic and plan for an accessible and timely public transport system. Because, “You’re on the bus?” should not be reserved for difficult management conversations, it should be the mantra for making public transport the norm once again.
Following consultation, the co-construction of a strategic plan and investment in employee professional learning, the bus may stop for some with hopping-off the only plausible solution.
That had me thinking this week, but not metaphorically, more in a literal sense about the number of students on buses to primary schools, which appears to be in decline.
This hypothesis is easily evidenced by morning traffic jams at drop-off points, a variety of new and used cars engaged in dodgem and jostling for limited spaces, very few kids walking to school and even fewer catching the bus.
The reasons for this change in behaviour are numerous including concerns about safety, parents dropping children at childcare or school en route to work, convenience, or consumer demand insisted by youngsters! However, the consequences are significant with increased traffic engaging children, and teachers, on duty, acting as parking management officers.
Two weeks ago, I caught the bus to Hobart and along with emails and a spot of reading, it was a thoroughly enjoyable trip, which brought back several memories. Further, noticing things that you have never seen before, even after years of travel, because you are free from the constant concentration that driving demands, was a pleasurable experience.
Far from unaccustomed to bus travel, (I was a late adopter gaining a driver’s licence…) public transport was my major mode of travel for many years, also influenced by being a one car family.
The bus route would land us extremely close to our destination after departing just across the road from our house. We were rarely late with the timetable working like clockwork ensuring that we arrived at appointments, events or school with time to spare. Bus etiquette, or more directly - where you chose to sit, particularly students who were aiming to avoid torment and appear a bit cool, was often a decision causing concern and consternation. About three-quarters of the way back, if available, was my preferred spot, not the back of the bus, which was for the older kids, nor too close to the front where the juniors sat. Three-quarters was middle of the road, my sweet spot; a bit cool and not drawing unnecessary attention.
But public transport is now less of a consideration in Tasmania because, if you are like me, you rely on your car. In fact, it we were being truthful, many off us would simply drive around the block until we could find a rock-star parking spot outside our desired destination.
Yet, in a larger city like Melbourne, you jump on the tram to travel to meetings, and whilst in Sydney using the train from the airport to the city is far cheaper and timely than a taxi. However, on Tuesday in Hobart and dodging the Dark Mofo revellers looking for a park, I required 45 minutes to travel from North Hobart to Sandy Bay bumper to bumper. Nevertheless, a bus wouldn’t have made it any quicker. There are no priority lanes and the outgoing traffic basically meets the incoming traffic at the foot of the city. Under current circumstances, buses would be gridlocked just as much as cars.
At a business event this week, the impressive Chief Executive of Infrastructure Victoria, Michel Masson, made the point that when there are 5-7% less cars on the road, which occurs during public and school holidays, we feel content with the time taken to travel to work or end point.
He also offered that, “If you (government) have a dollar, spend it on public transport.” Additionally, it was suggested that those who can least afford the inconvenience of being stuck in traffic spend the most time in jams, with-inner city residents using cars because of choice and the lack of public transport options.
With positive net population, more students and tourists, we need to be strategic and plan for an accessible and timely public transport system. Because, “You’re on the bus?” should not be reserved for difficult management conversations, it should be the mantra for making public transport the norm once again.
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