A less amusing and somewhat more annoying journey to work today.
Across the UK, public service unions are on strike about the extended retirement age proposed by the government. Although I have never been particularly union-minded, they are having their say, and I don't have too much of an issue with that.
In Edinburgh, for some unknown reason, the main bus company (that runs 95% of bus services) is also on strike. This means that a lot of people, including my wife, can't get the bus to work today and have to take the car (or in my wife's case, get a lift with me). In Edinburgh we also have a large network of bus lanes covering major routes throughout Edinburgh to speed the journey time for people taking public transport. Now, here is where it gets odd....
Last year, the bus company's drivers were on strike over pay. The council (who weren't on strike) opened ALL bus lanes to cars to make the inevitable rise in car traffic less of a burden. Result - despite the obvious rise in car use, traffic moved quite freely; people even commented that bus lanes should be abolished as the drive to work was less painful than usual. See here for the quote "...most greenway bus lanes withdrawn for the day".
This year, the council are on strike. The same council who make the decisions about bus lanes being opened to cars. The same bus company is on strike again. This time, though, the [striking] council opened 4 bus lanes across Edinburgh. Yes, four. Not all of them like the last time 95% of buses weren't running - just 4. Result? Bedlam and traffic queues everywhere - major disruption to many workplaces.
Now, answer me this - when the bus drivers strike (but the council don't) good decisions are made by the council to negate a lot of the inconvenience to the public, but when the council strike, bad decisions are made that ensure the public are inconvenienced as much as possible; does there appear to be a link there?
The reason for the decision? Apparently other buses will be using the bus lanes. This is true, but it has to be less than 5% of the normal buses on the road and it didn't worry the council last year when they weren't on strike. Could a striking council be looking to cause maximum disruption - surely not?
Am I being just a little too paranoid?