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Child Benefit Farce
Comments
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Maybe it is. But if it helps those who cannot drive or cannot afford a car to be able to afford to get out and about in their retirement I have no problem with it being a subsidy to bus firms too. Equally if it incentivises some more affluent people to not use their cars and reduce greenhouse gases I can accept that too.
It also helps motivate some to give up their cars that really shouldn't be driving and helps others stay independent for longer.
It has to be claimed and whilst some may claim it I am not sure whether the bus companies get their "subsidy" if they are not actually being used. Many well off pensioners might have a pass but rarely. if ever, use them whatever."If you act like an illiterate man, your learning will never stop... Being uneducated, you have no fear of the future.".....
"big business is parasitic, like a mosquito, whereas I prefer the lighter touch, like that of a butterfly. "A butterfly can suck honey from the flower without damaging it," "Arunachalam Muruganantham0 -
Alternatively, one can say it encourages un-necessary journeys, increases taxes (as they are funded by taxes), burns un-necessary fuel, increases C02 emissions and helps destroy the planet.
True.
Personally those I know with cars do not use their bus passes and some do not even apply for them.
Equally, many who have bus passes like to get out of the house and remain active by going somewhere. You can call this unnecessary but you have perhaps never been lonely or felt the need to see people and places just to introduce some variety in your life.Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are incapable of forming such opinions.0 -
grizzly1911 wrote: »....It has to be claimed and whilst some may claim it I am not sure whether the bus companies get their "subsidy" if they are not actually being used. Many well off pensioners might have a pass but rarely. if ever, use them whatever.
I'm a case in point.
To be honest, my only motivation in applying for it was to have photograph proof of being over 60 to allow concessions into cinemas, shows, etc. As it happens, I've never had to show it, thus proving that I look my age!
I use it probably 2/3 times a year. Mainly to the hospital, and even then only to avoid the prohibitive car parking charges (rather than for the free travel).
But my main question is how the Local Authority pay the bus company? Is it a 'counting' system on a number of passenger journeys/distance? Or is it a 'flat' figure per 'wrinklie'? Either way, I suspect is ripe for 'manipulation' by the bus companies? Or am I being [unusually] cynical?0 -
Loughton_Monkey wrote: »But my main question is how the Local Authority pay the bus company? Is it a 'counting' system on a number of passenger journeys/distance? Or is it a 'flat' figure per 'wrinklie'? Either way, I suspect is ripe for 'manipulation' by the bus companies? Or am I being [unusually] cynical?
I believe that every time you swipe the smart card (or the driver logs a card is used) the firm gets a fixed usage fee (irrespective of the length of journey).Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are incapable of forming such opinions.0 -
In London at least the process is that companies go into a competitive tendering process to be paid by TfL to provide a route. The actual money they then receive is proportional to how many buses run on time which is why bus drivers in London drive so fast.
The money from tickets goes directly to TfL to offset some of the cost of the service. Passengers pay about 2/3rds of the cost of the service.
That may well be out of date or just plain wrong however! It is based on my highly fallible memory.0 -
I didn't apply for my bus pass until earlier this year as I have had to stop driving. Since I've been using it I've notice the buses after 9.30 are mainly filled with pensioners and if they lost their pass I wonder how many would continue to use them and if they stopped would it be profitable to run buses.Loughton_Monkey wrote: »I'm a case in point.
To be honest, my only motivation in applying for it was to have photograph proof of being over 60 to allow concessions into cinemas, shows, etc. As it happens, I've never had to show it, thus proving that I look my age!
I use it probably 2/3 times a year. Mainly to the hospital, and even then only to avoid the prohibitive car parking charges (rather than for the free travel).
But my main question is how the Local Authority pay the bus company? Is it a 'counting' system on a number of passenger journeys/distance? Or is it a 'flat' figure per 'wrinklie'? Either way, I suspect is ripe for 'manipulation' by the bus companies? Or am I being [unusually] cynical?
I've also wondered how the bus companies get their money the majority of the buses I use just register your pass as you get on the bus not where you go so I don't think it can be per journey.
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True.
Personally those I know with cars do not use their bus passes and some do not even apply for them.
Equally, many who have bus passes like to get out of the house and remain active by going somewhere. You can call this unnecessary but you have perhaps never been lonely or felt the need to see people and places just to introduce some variety in your life.
yes of course you are right; free things are always well used0 -
Don't you just get a divorce ...
You can give your OH all the pin money you would usually throw her way to keep the house running ..
And she can them claim every benefit under the sun ...As maintenance payments go under the radar
You could probably get a decent private education off benefits if you thought this out a little bit White Horse0 -
Don't you just get a divorce ...
You can give your OH all the pin money you would usually throw her way to keep the house running ..
... the trouble with throwing the wife money for running the house is that you could pay a man, and have it done properly...And she can them claim every benefit under the sun ...As maintenance payments go under the radar
You could probably get a decent private education off benefits if you thought this out a little bit White Horse
.... in seperations/divorces, I'm told the biggest problem is that women are sentimental creatures. So sentimental, that they like to keep a few momentoes, like the house, the kids, the car, and the money.....0 -
Loughton_Monkey wrote: »... the trouble with throwing the wife money for running the house is that you could pay a man, and have it done properly...
.... in seperations/divorces, I'm told the biggest problem is that women are sentimental creatures. So sentimental, that they like to keep a few momentoes, like the house, the kids, the car, and the money.....
I am sure White horse got a belt and braces pre nup ..0
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