Government looks at ways of reducing rush hour traffic

The government is looking at ways of cutting down on the congestion that affects towns and cities throughout the UK by asking businesses to be more flexible.

Transport Minister Norman Baker has said that some companies may be persuaded to let employees come in later or work from home, while the DfT wants to persuade traffic companies to offer bigger discounts for travelling at less busier times. It says that the plans are more urgent with the Olympics in mind as the London transport system will find it hard to accommodate all the visitors expected as well as firms operating as normal.

Baker said: “It is crazy these days for people to go to work when work can come to people. It is even crazier that we all travel on the same train on the same day at the same time. We should be able to spread the peak across different times.”

Other options being considered by the government include “office hubs” in more rural areas to allow people to “hotdesk” closer to home, while more childcare facilities will be encouraged. It is also hoped that video-conferencing can take the place of more face-to-face meetings. The plans are being supported by the TUC, which says it is encouraging that the government is taking an interest in these areas.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/apr/07/sleep-work-home-transport-rush-hour