A transport system with all the trimmings

For those of you who pause to reflect on the glory that is contemporary society, you would probably consider that the state of public transport is no less than a marvel of freedom, democracy and egalitarianism. Priced cheaply enough that travel is within the budget of even the most destitute and malodorous, with the awkwardness of segregation merely a hazy memory banished many decades into the past, the modern urban train carriage, tram or bus seems like a little microcosm of society. Captains of industry in their crisp business suits stand squished between goth rockers and young mothers - people of all shapes, shades and sizes packed together like a little UN delegation. Surely this is the living proof that we the human race have transcended our petty divisions and come to embrace each other in all our difference!

Well no, not really.

Back when transport was a novelty and options were limited, it was very clearly demarcated by class. Trains had first, second and even third class carriages. Poor people caught the horse-drawn omnibuses into town. Rich people rode, or took the carriage. The movie "Titanic" relied heavily on the difference between first class and steerage for most of its plot. Fast forward to today and it's only airlines that seem to care about class distinctions enough to charge different prices for the same trip. And even in the airline industry, there are operators who only offer budget seats, or only offer business class travel. Class hasn't really gone away, it's just changed shape. We haven't become a more democratic society, just more affluent. Much more of society can afford cars now than could afford carriages a century ago.

Public transport isn't egalitarian, it's just Third Class travel. Second or First class travel nowadays means driving a more or less expensive car. Thus you get people who are happy to delude themselves that they're being "green" by buying a new hybrid when they could have reduced their carbon footprint much more by purchasing a second-hand car with good fuel-efficiency. The real reason for buying a new car is that these people travel first class. Downsizing to a Barina is taking a step down the social pecking order, which is why you don't see anyone doing it. The environment is not as important as class.

When you get down to it, there are very few people on public transport purely for environmental reasons, and there are very many people who wouldn't consider public transport for what are ostensibly class reasons. Public transport wins where it's the only option (for people who can't drive or don't have a car), a cheaper option (for those who have no money to own or run a car), or a quicker option (for those who have better things to do than sit around in their car in Sydney traffic). Public transport loses if you can drive, have the money to drive and don't mind getting caught in traffic. If the choice is between getting stuck in traffic or stuck between some plebs, decent citizens will pretty much choose traffic every time. Sydney Buses can advertise themselves as "Safe, clean and convenient" as much as they like, but the lower North Shore will never be convinced. Nothing could be safer, cleaner or more convenient than one's Mercedes.

So I predict that we will see the return of class to urban short-trip public transport. Either as a carrot to get ex-Mercedes owners onto the train, or a sop to the lower middle class who will be forced onto public transport when fuel hits $3 a litre, demand will grow for transport that combines a high standard of service with a high standard of fellow travellers. Room to read your paper, maybe a WiFi connection. No being forced to share with upsettingly smelly patrons. No stupid rules that forbid you to eat breakfast on the way to work. Friendly but unobtrusive staff in elegant uniforms with little hats and gloves.

"Safe, clean and convenient" is for plebs. Class demands style, elegance and reliability. None of which, I bet, is addressed in Sydney's new transport plan, except in the huge discrepancy between public transport funding and money earmarked for roads. Personally, I know I'd prefer first class carriages to new road tunnels. Follow your nose, people of Sydney!