Congestion charge going up to £25 for big motors (4X4 and sports cars)

Originally Posted by bluethunder

....Off couse who does this tax hit, the poorer people of society (who can lease afford it as other as have said) not the rich and .....

Poorer people shouldn't be driving massive cars into central London if they're getting stung. I consider myself far from poor but I'd still get the tube into London for shopping or pleasure.

[chris8886]

Originally Posted by teriyakimonkey

Poorer people shouldn't be driving massive cars into central London if they're getting stung. I consider myself far from poor but I'd still get the tube into London for shopping or pleasure.

i actually enjoy (SHOCK HORROR) the tube, although i hardly ever use it at peak times, usually just going to watch the cricket at lords and it's always a laugh with a load of jolly cricket fans (obviously before england have lost!!).

Originally Posted by chris8886

i actually enjoy (SHOCK HORROR) the tube, although i hardly ever use it at peak times, usually just going to watch the cricket at lords and it's always a laugh with a load of jolly cricket fans (obviously before england have lost!!).

The tube's great if you only use it occasionally. It's when you have to commute on it every day that it becomes a nightmare.

Which is why I ride a bike.

Originally Posted by Jester666

I've got an idea..........why not resurface all the cr4ppy roads in London instead?

This is the best idea ever. Im getting tired of avoiding the bottemless pits that where two weeks ago giant holes

Matt

Originally Posted by teriyakimonkey

I consider myself far from poor but I'd still get the tube into London for shopping or pleasure.

Ahh the tube - takes 4 times as long, costs many times as much - which would be why I use the bike then - at least I'll get a seat

{rant mode} And while I'm thinking about public transport it's cheaper for me to drive (ok in a 1.5 diesel) from Hounslow to Huntingdon than it is to get the train. I could just about drive there and back twice for the cost of a ticket. What's up with that?

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Sosha

{rant mode} And while I'm thinking about public transport it's cheaper for me to drive (ok in a 1.5 diesel) from Hounslow to Huntingdon than it is to get the train. I could just about drive there and back twice for the cost of a ticket. What's up with that?

You're ignoring of course all the other buying & running costs of a car.
But agreed I think that would be a good starting place to price tickets, the petrol cost for the same journey.

Originally Posted by Sosha

{rant mode} And while I'm thinking about public transport it's cheaper for me to drive (ok in a 1.5 diesel) from Hounslow to Huntingdon than it is to get the train. I could just about drive there and back twice for the cost of a ticket. What's up with that?

I don't agree with the tube thing (well maybe sometimes) but train fares are stupid. Was looking up the train to the AR for the Missus and even the cheapest ticket is a lot for 100 miles or so.

[Biker Biggles]

They dont even bother to pretend that this extra taxation is to be ploughed back into public transport any more.Wont be long before you need a "permit to travel" like China.

Originally Posted by Stu

Well it's pretty visible right now, especially those who have to pay (a real example of stealth tax was the tax introduced on pensions)That is the basis of all good taxation. What would you rather, that we taxed those that can't pay some more Don't know how to react to this - shouldn't we give the populace what they want I can probably filter passed a small car easier than a Chelsea tractor or fat Lamborghini, so it will make a differenceEvery little helps and it will be effective where we are as an air pollution measure if not a global warming measure(as Wyrdness said above.)

1. Irrespective, it's saying if you have this, you'll pay this. Better to put an additional tax on the purchase of a new sports car or 4x4 rather than punish those who made their buying decision prior to the introduction of the "charge".

2. That would be a valid comment if it wasn't the case that the taxes on tobacco and alcohol effectively target those less able to pay.

3. ..assuming you've managed to filter past the minibuses, vans, hgv's etc that aren't being targetted in the same way.

4. In that case I look forward to the prompt arrival of reduced tax on fuel, improved NHS services, more police on the beat, improved immigration policies etc.

If you really want to improve air quality in London, move it away from Heathrow.