Introduction
Life is made up of different layers and shades of obligatory and optional needs. The obligatory needs are home, food, clothes, health, and education, and the optional ones are entertainment, transportation, and many more. Although the transportation is an optional component of life, it plays a pivotal role in connecting people, and streamlining their life with other components. The needs of transportation arise for all types of people whether they are child, young, or old. So, be it going to school, office, hospital, airport, or bus station, or transporting any kinds of goods or services, an effective, efficient, cheap, responsible, and punctual transportation system is an undeniable and indispensable needs of life for anyone whether one is a student, professional, worker, or retired person. Without any shadow of doubt, there is every reason to believe that the vehicle of life is transportation that gives breath to life and makes it effective and efficient. Believe it or not, the beauty of life lies in freedom, equality, integrity of character, and adherence to values, rules, and regulations. Such kind of a free, independent, and honourable life is possible where there is rule of law and respect for freedom of speech and choice. In this backdrop, no matter what could be the domain of life, it is only democracy that can provide a peaceful, stable and respectable life to the citizens.
Body
Everyone will feel at home if the quality of public transport system is made accountable for the people and take care of their needs and expectations. This kind of quality can be maintained and monitored if it is not controlled professionally for the welfare and benefits of the common people. Such a fact is not just a matter of regional significance which is specific to Ontario, Canada, but of universal significance. It goes without saying that life without proper care, peace and tranquillity is of no relevance. The very purpose of living is defeated if there is an absence of just, rational, equitable, and responsible system of transportation which is of the people, for the people, and by the people. Undoubtedly, it makes good sense to analyse these issues to understand its significance and relevance in life. All of us know this that such a rational and pragmatic approach will help in establishing a launching platform for a healthy, happy, progressive and vibrant society. But, the moot point in this modern age is to look at the issues from social, economic, and political perspectives. Understanding the nuances of transportation systems is a million dollar question to ensure a just and peaceful environment for the general public. In the context of Ontario, Canada, let us discuss some of its paramount and fundamental factors. These are:
Social factor – There are people from half urban and half rural background whose main occupation are agricultural. There are also people from working and middle class background. In this age of modernization and price rise for essential commodities, making both ends meet is really a herculean tasks for most of the families. So, these people are generally not so well-to-do, and they deserve to be socially protected on compassionate grounds. Some of the details of the Canadian transport system is described and explained here as
“The Census Operations Division is responsible for the planning, development and implementation of all production-related operations of the periodic decennial and quinquennial censuses of population, Canada’s national inventory of key social-economic phenomena.” (“Overview of Transportation Statistics in Canada, Mexico and the United States” 183).
Economic Factor – There is a wide gap between the rich and the poor as far as economic condition of the people is concerned. Such a economic disparity among the people of different regions cannot be ignored. So, it is the accountability of the government to make common people maintain the minimum possible basic needs of life and sustain their life. All of us know that poverty and scarcity breed disturbance and exploitation. Considering the economic conditions of the common people, it is the need of hours to protect their sentiments and prevent any further exploitation and harassment of the masses. Municipal department of Canada is engaged in enhancing the financial status of the transport system by getting support from the regional and national government. But they want to be independent and privatize the transportation system without taking any financial support. This fact is supported by the reference given as
“Canadian municipalities stand alone among their counterparts almost everywhere in the industrialized world inasmuch as they receive no financial support from the national government.” (Richard Soberman 6).
Political Factor – Any government in democracy is of the people, for the people, and by the people. And, there is a need to respect the sentiments and aspirations of the people. It is wrong to overburden the masses by privatizing the transportation sector. It is an undeniable and bitter fact that privatization of any department has a hidden motive of business to make money. The private players in the transportation industry cannot look at the common problems of the masses. It is difficult to expect from them to have a sympathetic look on the issues and do something for the welfare of the people. There is a need to politically stabilize and structure the rules and regulation of transport demand and ensure the zero impact on the environment system. This fact is supported by the reference given as
“Other regulations that are expected to have an impact on Canadian transportation demand trends are carbon dioxide taxes and renewable fuel standards. These policies could influence future transportation energy demand trends by curbing demand growth and/or by encouraging substitution away from refined petroleum products.” (“National Energy Board” 1)
Population Factor – In this modern age of information explosion and economic and political disparity, the impact of population growth is a burning issue. People move to the nearby cities in search of jobs and sustaining their life. The development of social and economic infrastructure is not rational between the rural and the urban population. There is a big gap the between two. In this context, it is not fair to expect the poor middle class population to invest huge expenditure in transportation. The relationship between the infrastructure of the transport and population density is described and explained as
“Some evidence of the relationship between density and transit use is provided in the comparisons of transit use for various Canadian municipalities grouped by population.” (Richard Soberman 11).
Environmental Factor – It is true that privatization brings the inflow of money and everywhere there is a game of money. Having a vigil and acting as a watch-dog on the private organization in the field of transportation industry is very difficult. There is every possibility that the private player in this field can ignore the interest of environmental protection and preservation in the process of widening the length and breadth of transportation network. They can exploit and twist the rules and regulations of the government to their own advantage, thereby ignoring the environmental degradation resulting from pollution and mushrooming of the networks. So, it is the sustainable environmental policy of government that could understand the root problems and protect the interest of the self-existence of not only people but also the environment. The impact of environmental concern resulting from public transportation system as
“Another change concerns the institutional environment affecting public transportation. Similar to restructuring elsewhere in the public sector, there has been a major redefinition of responsibilities coupled with the establishment of several new entities in major cities.” (Richard Soberman 29)
Keeping these religious, social, population, and environmental factors into account, it becomes imperative to throw lights on some of the positive impact of public transportation system and negative influence of privatized transportation systems.
Positive impact of public transportation system
a) Protection of the poor and medium level income group
b) Quality management of resources
c) Care and maintenance of public interest
d) Preservation of environment
e) Sympathetic and welfare attitude towards the socio-economic problems
f) Special care for the poor, needy and the old
Negative impact of public transportation system
a) Enhancing the interest of company
b) Ignoring the interest of the common people
c) Difficulty in quality management of resources
d) Encountering poor co-ordination among the related agencies of the transportation
e) Exploitation of natural habitat and degradation of environment
f) Increase in pollution level
g) Ignoring the socio-economic condition of the people
h) Lack of humane approach towards social justice and equality
In addition to these disadvantages of private sector influence in the transportation system, there are many hidden agendas of the private organization that are difficult to be interpreted and realized by the imagination of the common people.
Conclusion
In the light of the aforesaid facts and analysis of this argument over the application of publicly-funded transportation system, it is crystal clear that the interest of common masses can be protected by the democratic government. I am of the firm opinion that democratic system of governance has some engrained values to adopt a humane and welfare approach towards every elements of life. Further, it can protect the interest of the life the downtrodden and needy class who are victims of exploitation and poverty. Furthermore, public transit system can look at root of problem of life and give a humane touch to the values of life and sentiments of people. Therefore, time has come for the government and administrative heads of the government organization to introduce a system of public-funded transit systems not only in Ontario but also in the entire Canada. In this materialistic, consumeristic, and capitalistic world, this solemn approach will us build a just and honorable society and make our life happy, progressive, honest, and prosperous in a true sense.
Works Cited
“Amenities and programs that encourage active transportation in all seasons.” Transport Canada. August 25, 2010. http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/environment-utsp-allseasontransportation-222.htm. December 17, 2011.
“Specific Sources of Canadian Transportation and Transportation Related Data and Information.” Overview of Transportation Statistics in Canada, appendix, 183. http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=overview%20of%20transportation%20statistics%20in%20canada%2C%20mexico%20and%20the%20united%20states&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.census.gov%2Fecon%2Fwww%2Fnatf%2FAppendA.pdf&ei=TEQDT-3AE83IrQe_w9HjDw&usg=AFQjCNFHsqeFF5Bk0CQ13JLvxU0Kt7cEZg&cad=rja, January, 02, 2012.
Soberman Richard. “Public Transportation in Canadian Municipalities: Implications for the Canada Transportation Act and the Federal Role in Transit.” Research conducted for the Canada Transportation Act Review, March 2001. http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=%20%22canadian%22%20sources%20public%20transport%20system&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.reviewcta-examenltc.gc.ca%2FCTAReview%2FCTAReview%2Fenglish%2Freports%2Fsoberman.pdf&ei=pv4CT6y5NoaIrAePm4DXDw&usg=AFQjCNF8-g5A5c5wfyNXO27DAxwRhH4Unw&sig2=PibCzjGtsD13lYRdF9kzKw&cad=rja, January, 02, 2012.
“Canadian Energy Demand: Passenger Transportation - Energy Briefing Note.” National Energy Board, November 2011. http://www.neb.gc.ca/clf-nsi/rnrgynfmtn/nrgyrprt/nrgdmnd/pssngrtrnsprttn2009/pssngrtrnsprttn-eng.html, January, 03, 2012.
