NationStates Jolt Archive

I've resubmitted this one (and tacked a bit on) - if the guys who supported it before could do so again, and get delegates on-side too, that would be great. I don't know how much telegramming I'll be able to do this week.

OOC: Also, if this fails again, feel free to cut and paste and re-submit it yourselves, claiming all the credit, cos I'm buggering off soon until about September.


Transport Infrastructure

A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare.

Category: Social Justice
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: The Big Yellow Spot

Description: Proposal for miminum standards in national land-based transport networks, and for the reliable provision of public transport.

Where citizens require a medium of travel to reach facilities to which they have a right of use (e.g. health, education facilities), that the following standards be adhered to:

I - ROAD (PRIVATE USE)
1. That adequate road surface, markings & signage be maintained for the type and use of carriageway, including provisions for adverse weather conditions (e.g. gritting in icy weather).
2. That tolls/congestion charges be levied (in place of road/petrol taxes) for the maintenance of the road network and control of the road usage and traffic flow, in conjunction with satisfactory provision of public transport. The improvement of traffic flow will reduce journey times and encourage the efficient use of fuel, thus improving the viability of trade routes to the advantage of our economies.

II - PUBLIC TRANSPORT
1a. That rail/tram companies be required to inform passengers AS SOON AS delays/cancelations become likely, and of the reasons for those delays/cancelations, or be penalised with heavy fines.
1b. That rail/tram companies be required to maintain the quality of track required to prevent unnecessary delays/cancelations, or be penalised with heavy fines.
2a. That buses be provided where the rail network does not exist, and at a time of day when citizens are able to take advantage of the provision.

III - ENVIRONMENTAL/HEALTH CONCERNS
1. That adequate provisions be made for footpaths/cycle paths, for the good of the environment, and the health and fitness of the member nations.
2. That appropriate priority be given to buses/trams over other road users, to ensure that public transport is encouraged as a preferable mode of travel for citizens.

All appropriate standards are to be judged in accordance with outlined standards and the budget available to member nations to put these facilities into place.

A UN Code of Best Practice will be drawn up, rather than a list of draconian rules that must be followed to the letter. This will be reviewed every three years based on the performance of systems implemented by member states.

Voting Ends: Thu Jan 15 2004

King Flubbert III
Grand High Lord of The Evil Flea of Doom

bump

Well, that's two endorsements in a few hours. Hopefully, this'll pick up a bit more steam.

bump

The Greenspoint Dept. of Transport already has regulations in effect that cover most of the items in this proposal. For the UN to mandate that the individual nationstates provide public transport for it's citizens is ludicrous. Where the need exists, our voters will pass the required laws setting such systems up. Those citizens that need to get somewhere can walk if they have no other transport. In the case of an emergency, we have ambulance services that exist for this purpose. Our privatized rail and tram systems lose enough money when poor maintenance and accidents cause delays. GDoT is well aware of the need for traffic to keep flowing to keep the economy up and running, we certainly don't need the UN to tell us.

If this ever makes it to the floor for a vote, Greenspoint will oppose it.

Linc Wright
Assistant Manager in charge of Transportation
Rogue Nation of Greenspoint

The Allied States of Frisbeeteria have a fine assortment of toll roads, railways, and airlines already, thank you very much. The Government of Frisbeeteria, such as it is, has no interest or control over such roads except where they infringe on the property of members of the Ruling Council. Encroachment without payment is Not Thought Well Of, and such roads tend to be blocked, bulldozed, or find themselves with unexpected tollbooths. Private enterprise corporations can and do find ways to make their conveyances profitable. It is not the business of International Organizations to reorganize our economy.

For a Nation such as The Big Yellow Spot to suggest that public ownership and management of transport corporations is ludicrous at best. Frisbeeterian tourists to The Big Yellow Spot may avail themselves of government supplied public transport if they are permitted and so desire, but Frisbeeterians expect payment for passage. Cash in advance, please.

Frisbeeteria opposes this and all Nanny State taxes. We are proud to be a Regional Delegate and serve our Region well, but we will withdraw our UN membership before submitting to such international blackmail.

This issue is not for the UN to decide. It's absolutely ludicrous. In saying that in Isochronous, 60% of all trips are taken on public transport.

Oh well, been ill all week.

btw, this does not tell member states exactly what to do - this is aimed at raising the standard of best practice - and citizens should have a right to transport provision where there is a need (and don't give me crap about market forces - if the need isn't huge, a minority - who by no means are not deserving of attention - will be neglected, because private companies won't do shit for them)

I am in admiration of the tenacity of the Big Yellow Spot. I like the proposal and I hope my regional delegate likes it too. It's as real as it can get and therefore will probably be critisized for being so. Keep it up

This is gonna fail again (still, 40 approvals with no spamming this time, so it's not unpopular) - if anyone wants to butcher it and submit your own version, go ahead.

Remember, though, that like I said before - the idea is to encourage best practice - this isn't designed to create a recipe for member nations to follow.

If you can't be arsed, but you have a suggestion for improvement anyway, you could put it here and other people might take notice - then again, they might not.

In saying that though, BYS, if the proposal got reached quorum I would definently vote for it. (i just lost my delegacy after a nation in my region died).

If this proposal focused on INTERnational transportation issues, then The Rogue Nation of Greenspoint MIGHT consider supporting it, but as it is, it focuses on INTRAnational transportation issues.

This is not a matter to be mandated or encouraged by the United Nations.

Linc Wright
Assistant Manager in charge of Transportation
Greenspoint

Customer service and prompt schedules seem attractive in the abstract, but they are impractical for us.
Our public transit consists primarily of baskets attached to mastodons and pterodactyls. The brave passengers may be delayed if the beasts pause unexpectedly to graze, or devour prey, or (heaven forbid) fight for a mate, but they are in no position to complain.
We have become adjusted to the vgaries of our beasts and take it with reasonable good humor. For instance, I asked a friend why he was late for our meeting at 10:30 and he replied "Oh, the 10 AM bus was old Humphrey you know, and he would take all day stuffing himself on the roadside kudzu, so I thought better to just wait for the 10:20."

I believe the UN may be going too far with this proposal. It may be about economic equality, but is hardly fair to poorer nations, who seem to be being told what to spend their national budget on. It is not the place of the UN to dictate these internal issues and i urge other nations to reject it. And its not because im bored and want to be difficult, honest.

I believe the UN may be going too far with this proposal. It may be about economic equality, but is hardly fair to poorer nations, who seem to be being told what to spend their national budget on. It is not the place of the UN to dictate these internal issues and i urge other nations to reject it. And its not because im bored and want to be difficult, honest.

I support this proposal as i think it will help all nations within the U.N :D