www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news....5
I cant believe this story, in 10 years time, Atoc the Association of train operating companies, want us all to get back into our cars and drive instead of using trains. Why, well because they think that the trains will be so congested that they will have to introduce a congestion charge, so if all this talk about introducing congestion chargeing in towns and cities, and the government talking about introducing gps based charging because the roads are so congested and this is a way of making us use public transport then I can only deduce that ATOC want us to get back into ours cars. You couldn't make this stuff up!!
Can anyone please explain what is going on in this country, and why we cant have a single joined up well thought out transport policy?
|
Sorry if this sounds flippant but abandon ship and move to another country that has a transport system and policy. I would if I could. Breaks my heart to see what goes on here. Can't go into it any deeper because of the politics rule.
Steve.
|
|
|
|
This is just an attempt by the private rail operating companies to wring money from the government. It's what their shareholders expect them to do and it's what the government expects them to do. Rail, ferry, plane, and bus pricing is already variable depending on the time of day/route taken, so why is this news? Is the Daily Mail produced by people as stupid as it appears? If not, why do they feign stupidity so often?
|
The reason this is news is because the government has been telling us to get out of our cars and take trains because they're cheaper, more economical (which I seriously doubt), and in general will make you a better person.
So now they want to charge people who take the train to avoid rush hour traffic. Brilliant. Not.
As we all know, being forced to sit on a train during rush hour is extremely unpleasant. Carriages are packed, they're hot and smelly, noisy etc. Usually late. At least if you're sitting in your own car you can listen to your own music, be comfortable, get directly to your destination. The train companies are just encouraging people back into their cars.
When I heard this on the news this morning it took me nearly 5 minutes to stop laughing... I never take trains any more, I either drive or fly, both of which are cheaper.
Last time I looked for train tickets, the cheapest fare from Exeter to Leeds return, 5 hours each way, (booked 3 weeks in advance) was £122. I booked the return flight that costs £40 and takes less than an hour.
|
Perfect timing to coincide with the ridiculous road pricing scheme!
I propose congestion charges on buses as well. Get people out of the dirty,unreliable public transport and back onto the roads!
I also would make sure that cyclists can only ride in the cyclists lane if they 'bike share' with at least one other person.
Come to think, my ideas are so stupid, I may have missed out on a potential political career....
|
I may have missed out on a potential political career....>>
It's not too late..:-) A few more sensible suggestions like that and you too could be on the gravy train, deciding which Jag to drive and looking forward to a massive pension....:-))
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
|
|
|
|
Four of us travelled from our local station via Leeds to York on Saturday for Royal Ascot. This event was announced two years ago - long enough for a few 'racing special' trains to be organised I would have thought. No just the usual 2 car diesel which was packed well before it reached Leeds at which point another 2 carriages were added for the few hundreed other people who wanted to get on - v generous. No aircon working and no way of opening windows as they are locked and only the guard has a key. Next time we are in the car with climate set at 18 degrees.
|
|
|
I also would make sure that cyclists can only ride in the cyclists lane if they 'bike share' with at least one other person.
As usual Slough is at the forefront of progress: it's commonplace to see a cyclist with a passenger seated on the handlebars, the bike wobbling around like a sozzled MEP at a Brussels freebie.
Leif
|
|
This is just the rail companies doing a bit of government arm-twisting to get more subsidy. I gather a lot more government money is going to the rail companies now than in the old days of BR. Must say, I never thought I'd look fondly back at the days of BR, but they weren't actually that bad in comparison with the present shower of train operators.
|
Er... but we already have peak time congestion charging its called 'peak hour fares'.
Example, 1 day travel card (Guildford to London return plus unlimited tubes and buses) £21.30 if you travel before 9:30am and £13:30 if you travel after.
|
Sorry, I'm a bit out of touch with buses - seeing as there is literally no alternative for me to get to work other than by car I rarely use them!
And what about all these inconsiderate pedestrians walking into work - get them GPS tagged and charge 'em for walking into city centres at peak times - then we could do away with pedestrian crossings and improve traffic flow!
Oh no - I've turned into an MP!
|
|
|
Er... but we already have peak time congestion charging its called 'peak hour fares'.>>
Precisely.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
:no_upscale():format(webp)/https://cdn.uk.prod.group-mobility-trader.com/images/cas/3541ab6c55c241daa536e7011376e00a/2ade89a4638733a7b49c56a4ed052ac8.jpg)
£18,340was £19,200Details:no_upscale():format(webp)/https://cdn.uk.prod.group-mobility-trader.com/images/cas/1a7d4474b17676684a348cdd448c4b92/08bb122aa412bc7f4fd14d51efe0f7ec.jpg)
£29,937was £30,619Details![2023 BMW 1 Series 118i [136] Sport 5dr Step Auto [Live Cockpit Pro]](https://img.common.prod.group-mobility-trader.com/unsafe/trim/90x60/smart/filters:quality(70):no_upscale():format(webp)/https://cdn.uk.prod.group-mobility-trader.com/images/cas/8f880fcabd37557d908c28a4d66bdb53/3fbad8b2291927dfff4a517b10b43a88.jpg)
£20,252was £20,915Details:no_upscale():format(webp)/https://cdn.uk.prod.group-mobility-trader.com/images/cas/50317e11790e78d451cd7ea1034db948/945052e3f5e296502220368946402172.jpg)
£14,662was £14,989Details
