Both the roads and the railways are publicly funded. Railway-passengers are charged fares in a ridiculous pricing system which punishes the poor. I shan’t delve into the ‘privatisation’ which keeps those fares high.

There is a mass-zealotry against the railways. People constantly go on about their supposed lack of ‘profitability’, yet nobody ever treats the roads the same.

A London-mayoral candidate has proposed free-travel across Transport for London for 6 months; this is the best policy I’ve heard from any politician in the past decade. Yet, it’s received so-much unthinking abuse on the basis it’s ‘wasting money’. I think this contrived argument comes from people’s bigotry against the railways, which is why I ask: Should Pedestrians & Cyclists Be Charged To Use The Roads?

If free railway-travel is wasting money, then surely all our untolled roads and pavements are an even-greater waste of money? I wonder how many of those whom oppose free rail travel would be happy to pay to walk the streets: would you?

There is much more I have to say on the matter, but the Marples-zealots often detract from the argument; this issue is fundamental, and needs addressing. I look forward to hearing people’s answers: Should we toll the roads and pavements?