SOAP BOX

[SMEE]

I thought it be good to have a thread for those who wish to spout off about something thats getting on their tatti boobs. Its a slighlty more indepth thread that the likes of what really bugs you etc and is intended to be for more serious debate.

Anyhow....I will start the ball rolling with.............................................. BUS FARES going up yet again. Councils, Government etc keep harping on about getting us to use public transport. But ....there is something wrong when it is cheaper for some folks wi kids or whatever to take a taxi to their intended destination instead of busses :018:

[RowdyBey]

You dont have to wait that long till you get on for free  :023:

[Action Man]

Fares go up just days before a possible fuel shortage? Conspiracy anyone....................... :011:

[+CaleyD]

The privatisation of transport services was one of the worst things that ever happened in this country.

If we're honest, the services haven't improved much (they are worse if anything) and more money is now paid out in subsidies than it would have cost the Government to continue running these things themselves.  On top of that you have large companies bumping up the prices and suppressing wages paid to drivers so they can line the pockets of shareholders.

Some of the drivers I used to work with said they were earning the same wages 15+ years ago as they are getting today and that's before you take into consideration the fact that Pension Benefits etc have been stripped out over the years.

Not only do you have a more expensive service, you have dissatisfied staff who really couldn't give a toss about providing a good service because, quite simply, they aren't paid enough to take the chit that the public dish out to them.  Public dissatisfaction is quite justified most of the time, it's just aimed at the wrong people.

For those who work and pay taxes....when you hand over your fare, your paying for that bus for a second time as your taxes are already paying the subsidies that put that bus on the road.  Your fare goes straight into the pocket of the shareholders because even without paying passengers these buses could still be run at a profit due to the cash and concessions they receive from the government.

All that Tax you pay on your fuel....not paid by bus companies.  Road Tax....it cost a bus company about the same to put a bus on the road as it does for you to put your car on the road.

One of the things that surprised me most when I worked on the buses is that the vast majority of school kids have to pay for their bus to school!!!

If the people running this country were serious about getting cars off the roads then the bus service would be free for everyone....it wouldn't cost any more for them to do that, in fact I believe it could be done for less.  However, the whole "get cars off the roads" thing is only being met by lip service because the sad truth of the matter is that this country couldn't afford to lose the money they take in taxes if people were to ditch their cars.  That's no excuse and the problem is spiralling, but would people be willing to pay the cost?  With so many car owners in the country, how do you think they would feel if they were told "your taxes are going up to subsidise the cost of taking cars off the road"....it's not exactly a vote winning policy.