The best way for governments to solve the problem of traffic congestion is providing free public transport in 24 hours per day, and seven days a week. To what extent do you agree of disagree?

Traffic congestion happens every day around the world. Some claim that the most effective way to deal with this issue is to provide free public transport for twenty four hours seven days a week while others think that there are more optimum solutions to this problem. I strongly disagree with the former suggested solutions for the following reasons.First, it is believed that this policy is a perfect choice for middle and low-income people. Thanks to free public transportation service, all citizens use buses, trains and underground trains to commute to work. However, it is undeniable that if governments want to ensure this service to be well-maintained, they will have to pour a huge amount of money into the re-construction of roads and payment for public transport drivers. While governments, especially in developing nations, are still in great debts due to a series of problems from illiteracy, poor health care and others, this solution is a luxurious choice for them. In addition, in developed nation where individualism is appreciated, the idea of travelling with others on public transport is undesirable. Second, the belief is that this policy may encourage people to limit the usage of private cars. Yet, this actually can result in the overloaded buses and trains. By virtue of being totally free, more and more people turn to public transportation, which again can lead to traffic congestion with so many buses running on all streets. In addition, no sooner are quite a few people on public transport than the matter of security should be considered. These public places are ideal destinations for thefts and ill-willed people who make use of chaotic situations to steal things. Workers, after finishing their work, find themselves unwilling to use public transport when all buses are full of people and the atmosphere is breathless like the case of Vietnam. Drivers who work day and night shifts also go on strikes if their salary level is not up to their expectation. There are, in fact, other more feasible solutions to traffic congestion. Governments still charge public transport services to have money to maintain this service well for users and drivers. Besides, redistributing equal work-force between cities and countryside areas, between political and industrial offices in different areas around the nation is a long-term policy. Hanoi, for instance, has suffered worse traffic jams due to the unreasonable policy of merging Hanoi and Ha-dong into one city, followed by the exodus of people from the countryside to city area to work. Educationally speaking, the imposition of hash penalties on traffic violation cases, especially during rush hours is a step forward to curb traffic congestion.In brief, I think that this decision turns out be infeasible for its waste of money, short-term effect, and governments should take into account other more efficacious solutions. ( LeNa)