GaryK

But surely just increasing the cost *wont* stop people from using the roads. Just like continually increasing the price of **** doesnt stop people smoking.

There are too many cars on the road and too many people living on a tiny island, thats the problem and that will only get worse not better.

PeteBrant

Those figures don't mean that the Congestion charge is the cause of that rise in Market Cap. They have several interests - Lots of which will be far more profitable than the congestion charge. Of course, there is money to be made from the Congestion charge by a private company, but it is limited, as all surplus after a certain profit margain has to, by law, be ploughed back into transport.

PeteBrant

There will come a point at which driving just doesnt make sense. We have a long way to go in more rural areas, and some towns and cities - But I have to say, you would have to be slightly mad to drive in central london every day.

stilover

But they plan to hike up the price between say 7am-10am and 4pm-6pm at the exact same time when people go to and from work. How are people supposed change there driving times to ease congestion? How many business's are going to let you wander in and out to suit the pay as you go scheme?

If people habits change to avoid the higher price, the government will alter the time they charge the higher price to create revenue.

The government don't want to price us off the road. They'd lose far to much money that they'd have to cream back off us by raising more tax on more things. No, they just want to cream as much money off the motorist as they think they can get. As Britain's have no real backbone when it comes to standing up to Governments, we will just do the British thing. Moan about it then pay it.

PeteBrant

Well apparantly businesses need to change. How many of us work in jobs that demand we work in the office? The government want to encourage flexible hours. Obviously there will be industries that just cannot do this, but there will be lots that can.
I agree we as a people have no backbone, compared to say the French. Mass civil disobedience is what is required - if *everyone* refuses to pay it will cease to be.

However, I disgaree with the revenue raising aspect. As I said, as it stands its not profitable if you dont include fines, and any profit that is made, has to be put back in to transport by law.

corradoboy

How else can they afford to pay child support to Polish plumbers for kids who are still in Poland (I kid you not) and the Romanian customer of a fellow instructor I know who's getting 45 hours of free tuition with BSM (£24/hr) and will be provided with a free car through Motability as in Romania he has a disabled child which may at some point come to Britain (although he has confided in my colleague that he has no intention of bringing him here as he's enjoying the single life here and the kid and mother can stay put).

Britain, home of the World Welfare Free-For-All


BOT - I've said for many years that employers need to be bullied into staggering starting and finishing times. If people started at 6-7-8-9-10am and shops (except food specific) were pinned to 11am you'd then have people finishing at 2-3-4-5-6pm and shops could close at 8-9pm.
Schools could stagger their days too, with earlier start times for older pupils. Primary could open at 9 but high schools at 7. Or maybe have a longer school day with open study periods allowing for staggered arrival/departure at the start/end of each day so as not to interrupt key lessons (that's the kids job )
Another idea is that every building higher than 5 stories must include parking for 100% of its permanent inhabitants (workers/residents) and 50% of its visitors within its footprint, ie underground carparks. The best idea though is to rid us of that stupid Urban Transport Initiative which has seen the narrowing of roads, redesigning of bus lay-by's into the carriageway, side-roads protruding out etc etc which means the traffic stops with every bus pulling up as it's in the lane and the lanes are too narrow to safely pass at busy times bLIAR's last policy creating a problem so his Scottish mate can effect a solution in the guise of Congestion Charging in major cities

We all know what they're up to, we all know it's wrong, we all want it to stop and for better plans to be put in place, but politicians DO NOT REPRESENT the public who vote them in, they RESENT us for meddling in their money-making schemes. What alternative do we have, NONE, 'cos as Billy Connolly once said, 'It doesn't matter who you vote for, the Government always win !'

stilover

And how does a business change it's working hours? Demand people start work at 6am? Or start late, and finish at 8pm? I work for a construction company, so we need to work through the day,as sites work through the day.

What of those people who can't work flexible hours? Mainly lower paid workers. Price per mile in rush hour = say £1 per mile. 10 miles to work = £10. Plus then you are still paying for petrol on top of this. You then pay £10 just to get home. So just to get to work and back it's now costing you over £20 per day. If you are on the minimum wage, you are working half the day just to get to work and back. That can't be right.
Companies aren't going to give out pay rises to help their workers out. Afterall the Government are strongly apposed to businesses handing out above inflation wage rises.




The Government ARE doing this to raise revenue. Why else do it? Environment? Don't be brainwashed. They will not put it back into transport. As said above, every foreign man and his dog is claiming benefits from the UK government. Free houses aren't free to the Government. They pay for it via Taxes. Taxes that will need to be raise more and more with every new claim. Just wait for even more countries to join the EU. Will they head to France? Germany perhaps? No. They'll head to free house and Benefit Britain.

PeteBrant

Like I said, there will be companies that will be able to offer flexible working, and those that won't.

Those that cannot, may well find they have concessions.

It's pointless to second guess what the charges will be, so any calculations based on them are also pointless.




No, listen. If people paid on time, the congestion charge would not be profitable, it would run at a loss.

It is stated by law that any surplus has to be put back into transport. You think the tories aren't looking at that with a microscope to make sure it happens?

You are arguing a point that simply is not backed up by the facts.

OllyK

Only because of the way Capita run it.

Leslie

It is a fact that Labour do not like the people to have any kind of personal freedom, above all that of owning a car. They would love to see car owning and use to be possible only by the privileged few-that is to say those who are more equal of course and paid for by the electorate naturally.

Les

PeteBrant

Well thats more than possible, given that IBM have been awarded the contract.

[Davey]

Ditto! The infaction system just lets sniveling little low lifes hide their opinion behind a button when they read something they dont like but dont have the minerals to say something... Get rid of it... it sucks!

speedking

A key point I thought was when the Lex*s driver pointed out that attempting to pay the kengestion charge a couple of days late results in a £100 fine or clamping, crushing car etc., a far worse punishment than generally handed out to people who commit burglary or assault. How can that be right?

boomer

...it must be a good thing - i mean, that van driver who drove over seven hundred miles all the way to Aberdeen in one day, only had to pay a few quid in Manchester congestion charges!!

They will be putting up illegal bus lanes next

mb