I believe that taxation of road vehicle fuel is fair to a point. While, from a purely selfish point of view, I would like to see the current level of fuel taxtaion in the UK fall, I think that it is just about fair. Having said that though, I don't think it would be reasonable to raise it significantly.
The UK government claim that they are thinking of the environment by reducing private vehicle usage - I think that this is simply a sham. I accept that it has spurred on the uptake of fuel efficient vehicles such as the Volkswagen Lupo Turbodiesel, offering 100 mpg (sadly not available in the UK), but I don't believe that the levels of taxation actually reduce road usage significantly, mainly because there isn't a realisticly priced alternative in many instances.
I live about 20 miles outside of London - if I want to visit central London, then I will take the underground - I have the option of taking the bus to a station 5 miles away, and taking the train to my final destination. Alternatively, I can drive 20 miles to a station on the outskirts of London, and take the train the rest of the way, cutting 45 minutes off the journey time and cutting costs by 30% (even more if I'm going with friends/family).
Here's a more dramatic example. As part of my studies I have to visit a number of towns around the region. For example, I may be required to attend at a town 40 miles away, at 9 am. I could take the bus, but they don't start running until 9:30 am. I could take the train, but they don't start running until 8:20 am, leaving insufficient time for me to get to work. There is no alternative to private car. It's even more interesting when cost is factored in: car costs about £6 in fuel. Bus costs about £8 return. Train costs £13 return (actually 2 singles because they don't offer returns on this route!).
Of course, this is to a town where there is a bus and train service. I've had to visit towns where there is no direct bus route, and if you want to go by train, then you have to first get the train to London (100 miles) and then back - a waste of time and effort when the town of interest is only 50 miles away.
I would dearly like to see better public transport available at a reasonable cost; I'm not particularly keen of driving through heavy traffic in rush hour
The UK government claim that they are thinking of the environment by reducing private vehicle usage - I think that this is simply a sham. I accept that it has spurred on the uptake of fuel efficient vehicles such as the Volkswagen Lupo Turbodiesel, offering 100 mpg (sadly not available in the UK), but I don't believe that the levels of taxation actually reduce road usage significantly, mainly because there isn't a realisticly priced alternative in many instances.
I live about 20 miles outside of London - if I want to visit central London, then I will take the underground - I have the option of taking the bus to a station 5 miles away, and taking the train to my final destination. Alternatively, I can drive 20 miles to a station on the outskirts of London, and take the train the rest of the way, cutting 45 minutes off the journey time and cutting costs by 30% (even more if I'm going with friends/family).
Here's a more dramatic example. As part of my studies I have to visit a number of towns around the region. For example, I may be required to attend at a town 40 miles away, at 9 am. I could take the bus, but they don't start running until 9:30 am. I could take the train, but they don't start running until 8:20 am, leaving insufficient time for me to get to work. There is no alternative to private car. It's even more interesting when cost is factored in: car costs about £6 in fuel. Bus costs about £8 return. Train costs £13 return (actually 2 singles because they don't offer returns on this route!).
Of course, this is to a town where there is a bus and train service. I've had to visit towns where there is no direct bus route, and if you want to go by train, then you have to first get the train to London (100 miles) and then back - a waste of time and effort when the town of interest is only 50 miles away.
I would dearly like to see better public transport available at a reasonable cost; I'm not particularly keen of driving through heavy traffic in rush hour
Facebook
Twitter