by SammyTheSnake » Mon Dec 04, 2006 6:08 pm
If we make the (probably false) assumption that the government is only looking at ways of charging the same amount of tax, but in different ways, I'd say the discussion is well overdue. Taxing those who spend more time on the roads, especially very congested ones, is a sensible (though predictable) way to encourage them to find alternatives where possible. These alternatives, however, must be available and practical. The trains are a brilliant object example of how to make an excellent idea unworkable (they're putting up the ticket prices *AGAIN*) Some cities are starting to make this work, with out of town car parks served by Park & Ride busses, or even trains. I'd like to see much more of this.
Regarding putting all the tax on the fuel, I think this'd just lead to more people raiding the local chippy to fill up their diesels. (Which I intend to do if I ever get one!) I also think that taxing bio-fuels is mad, they don't on the continent.
I think the major single cause of horrible congestion, however, is that waaaay too much business is conducted in cities, and more particularly, London. Why on earth should people commute from the countryside to the city to do a job that could as easily be done from home? Why should offices be in a city, rather than just off a motorway with a bus route, but not in the middle of a congestion hot-spot? Granted, it wouldn't work for every job, but 99% of what's done in cities is office work, where the location is neither here nor there, business wise.
Cheers & God bless
Sam "SammyTheSnake" Penny
DSA A 2003/08/01 - first go
Zach 2003-2006 - 1995 Diversion 600
DSA B 2007/03/05 - second go
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