Petrol prices

taxiphil

student100 wrote:

I'm sure trying to reply to an "argument" expressed in such a manner is futile, but I'll try anyway...

Bus - say 10mpg - say 30 passengers.

Car - say 40mpg - say 2 passengers.

You do the math.

Now, that theory might hold some weight if it were true that a bus carries an average of 30 passengers at any given time that its engine is running.

The horrible reality, though, is that studies have shown that the average amount of people on a bus at any time that its engine is running is actually 3.3 people, including the driver. Take the driver out of the equation as he's not actually the person that wants to get from A to B, and there's an average of 2.3 passengers on a bus at any given time.

Now divide the amount of filth pumped out by a dirty old bus by the 2.3 passengers on board, and I think you'll find the pollution per head is far more than the amount of pollution caused if those people had been driving small, economical modern cars with catalytic converters and using unleaded petrol.

The environmental argument of buses versus cars just doesn't wash I'm afraid.

dchurch24

I don't know this for fact, and please correct me if I'm wrong, but JEt planes - particulary passenger jet planes kick out a LOT of pollution (not cat. convertors etc...), and yet the fuel is not taxed at all.

Personally the envoronmental issue is a smoke-screen (no pun intended) put about as propaganda (god, I've used that word a lot lately) - and most people actually believe that it's quite right to tax cars out of existence.

According to certain sources, pollution from domestic cars account for less than 1% of world pollution.

Graham_Devon

I think the above is right, and it's why fares are so cheap.

pinkfluffybabe

Graham_Devon wrote:

I think the above is right, and it's why fares are so cheap.

Cheaper than trains ironically :rolleyes:

wdyw

dchurch24 wrote:

I don't know this for fact, and please correct me if I'm wrong, but JEt planes - particulary passenger jet planes kick out a LOT of pollution (not cat. convertors etc...), and yet the fuel is not taxed at all.

Personally the envoronmental issue is a smoke-screen (no pun intended) put about as propaganda (god, I've used that word a lot lately) - and most people actually believe that it's quite right to tax cars out of existence.

According to certain sources, pollution from domestic cars account for less than 1% of world pollution.

They are not too bad at all. What is bad is that they chuck out the exhaust gases at 34-40,000 feet. Simplest solution to the jet problem is to fly 10,000 lower, but thats not as cost effective.......

tomstickland

There was a letter in the Times from a commercial pilot who had worked out that he averaged 90 passenger miles per gallon, compared to a car of 30mpg ish. However, a car with 4 people in is 120 passenger miles per gallon.

Anyway, fuel shouldn't be cheap really - in 50 year's time people will be amazed that we !!!!!! away fuel in personal transportation rather than living near work etc. Yes, that's silly at the moment because house prices are silly.

However, the transport cost balance allows people to commute long distances at the moment. I'm not blaming them - it's survival. The long term solution has to involve rearranging our ways of thinking. A difficult process.

chris73

Why not just buy a horse and cart?. Transport costs will be low, as will food shopping. Soon you'll be sat there in the fields eating your horse !!!!!! sandwich, doffing your cap at the gentry as they cruise past in their Jaguars.

Anyway, fuel shouldn't be cheap really

Looking at worldwide fuel prices, several other European countries disagree with you, as does the US and even Australia.

Personally the envoronmental issue is a smoke-screen

Agreed, count the number of garages in any location, and report back how many sell Bio-Fuels. Even finding LPG outlets in most rural locations is a challenge in itself. The argument for a greener environment is a little shallow, when you are not doing anything to develop and roll out the alternative or are seen to be investing in the same.

The nearest Bio-Fuel outlet is a 50 mile round trip, so by wanting to help the environment, I actually need to use my car more for needlesly long trips to fill up with fuel that is available in fossil format 500 yards away.

Hmmm, yes well that MAKES SENSE!