AndyT Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Watched a programme featuring this topic earlier. Members of Joe Public being interviewed etc. and some people actually being paid to see if it's viable. The only compatable scheme that can be found is used in Singapore which basically uses a zone system for tolls, similar to bus zones. So if you drive in the business part of town the toll is higher etc. Now, Singapore has had this system in place for decades. The government realised very early that without prohibitively expensive taxes on cars etc. their fair island would be awash with metal. Realising that they invested in public transport systems that work. Our government is looking at bringing this in but have outsourced the issue of public transport to local government, ie they don't want to pay for it, which means there will be no investment because local government can't afford it. Case in point: we've got an existing tram track + stations that is used as a cycle track. For years campaigns to re-instate the 4 mile tram service have failed. That's the case with 1/2 the infrastructure in place so no chance for new development. At the end of the day it'll be £1.13 / litre plus tolls plus road fund and none of this will be re-invested in our roads or viable public transport. On a side note. Went on a bus the other day, Mrs beside me, I looked about and wondered what would happen if this thing crashed at 30mph. The first thing that hit me was the fact that my mrs would hit a 1" steel pole 6 feet in front of her. Not good. Then factor in the other people hitting you after the impact, horrendous. Personally I think I'm happier and safer in the car. Happy motoring folks. PS. Sorry for the rant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 There is no way you will get me out of my car!! It's my own personal space. There is technology available to stop the pollution side of the argument with hydrogen cells and electric cars etc but the government won't bring this in until 1) they find a way of charging you for it. 2) the want to wring every last drop out of the fuel available as it is their "cash cow". On the subject of public transport, with the social decline and crime the way it is, I can't see me as a 6ft - 15st bloke with a skinhead sitting on a bus with gangs of kids and teenagers with knives and no brains running riot!! God knows how the elderly would cope! I would rather pay whatever the going rate is and be safe in my own bubble!! Just my 2p H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted November 16, 2007 Author Share Posted November 16, 2007 Well said H. Hopefully our kids will ferry us around when we're old and wrinkly. I do fear for our elderly these days. What they have to go through on a daily basis would break lesser more able people. And they fought for this country. What must they think of what it's become? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Having worked on the technology that was 'the little black box' that did tracking of which roads you were using and the like to do taxing.. I have to say I'm not a fan as the system was fairly invasive. It kept track of the roads used, length of time, time of day. Sadly I think it is going to happen regardless, it was dropped two years ago, but the research and equipment was all in place to monitor goods vehicles, moving it to cars is as simple as plugging it in.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted November 16, 2007 Author Share Posted November 16, 2007 Having worked on the technology that was 'the little black box' that did tracking of which roads you were using and the like to do taxing.. I have to say I'm not a fan as the system was fairly invasive. It kept track of the roads used, length of time, time of day. Sadly I think it is going to happen regardless, it was dropped two years ago, but the research and equipment was all in place to monitor goods vehicles, moving it to cars is as simple as plugging it in.. We may as well move to Russia or China folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 We may as well move to Russia or China folks. How about Poland? I bet there's no fooker there!! I must admit, I am not bothered about the black box type of stuff as I have nothing to hide! I would imagine that the criminals will find someway around it. What I worry about it that it is becoming so expensive just to live your life. Having a car is a neccessity in most parts of the country, it gives you flexibility and options with what you can do and where you can go. People who don't have cars may preach but the minute they get themselves into a pickle and either need to get to the hospital or miss their train instantly look for a lift in a car!! What if nobody had cars? We'd all end up never leaving the house and not interacting with anyone!! Think I'd rather be dead than imprisoned in my own home and not risking going on public transport!! H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted November 16, 2007 Author Share Posted November 16, 2007 How about Poland? I bet there's no fooker there!! I must admit, I am not bothered about the black box type of stuff as I have nothing to hide! I would imagine that the criminals will find someway around it. What I worry about it that it is becoming so expensive just to live your life. Having a car is a neccessity in most parts of the country, it gives you flexibility and options with what you can do and where you can go. People who don't have cars may preach but the minute they get themselves into a pickle and either need to get to the hospital or miss their train instantly look for a lift in a car!! What if nobody had cars? We'd all end up never leaving the house and not interacting with anyone!! Think I'd rather be dead than imprisoned in my own home and not risking going on public transport!! H. Think that would be the govs aim H. To be honest it would end all sorts of problems for them. 'course then they'd have to tax us on the air we breath to fund their excesses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian C Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I must admit, I am not bothered about the black box type of stuff as I have nothing to hide! Ooh can you post your full name, address, phone number, national security number, and bank details up here please And get rid of any blinds or curtains or privacy glass in your house. -Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Ooh can you post your full name, address, phone number, national security number, and bank details up here please And get rid of any blinds or curtains or privacy glass in your house. -Ian Ask the same question of the mp's and i bet they would tell you to do one yet they still go blindly on with these id card schemes and tracking schemes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian C Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Ask the same question of the mp's and i bet they would tell you to do one yet they still go blindly on with these id card schemes and tracking schemes. My point exactly, and the people who roll over with the "If you've got nothing to hide " are part of the problem Cameras in the home as well, every room, broadcast on the net. It's for your safety you know. For security. If, er um er, a terrorist attacks, y'know, we'll know about it. Yeah, that's a good justification. -Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konrad Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 How about Poland? I bet there's no fooker there!! H. You wouldn't like our roads or I should rather say potholes You would love food, woman, price of booze and fags. Price of fuel is not that much different than here - around 85p/litre, but average income is around 400 pounds/month... There is nothing wrong with ID, if police want to check you, they will this way or another, there is no point to make them harder to do this. Having ID card do NOTHING to your privacy, but make criminals life little harder and police do not struggle to find out, who is this moron messing in public transport for example. Your details can be easily accessed in bank/work/hospital, but ID cards will speed up procedure. Poland have ID card scheme from ages and I really didn't feel, that my privacy was invaded, actually I think, that in England more people have access to my personal data than in Poland. I do not agree on tracking stuff tho. More about public transport: Wolverhampton City Council DO have a money to buy back public transport, problem is, thta private company (National Express) do not want to SELL hen, which is giving gold eggs. Most of their income coming from town buses and rail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Electric fuel cells are not environmentally friendly. Aside from the manufacturing costs etc there is the disposal costs plus electricity doesn't grow on trees. Unless the power is coming from a Nuclear source then all it will ever be is a 'clean' short term solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 There is nothing wrong with ID, if police want to check you, they will this way or another, there is no point to make them harder to do this. Having ID card do NOTHING to your privacy, but make criminals life little harder and police do not struggle to find out, who is this moron messing in public transport for example. Your details can be easily accessed in bank/work/hospital, but ID cards will speed up procedure. Poland have ID card scheme from ages and I really didn't feel, that my privacy was invaded, actually I think, that in England more people have access to my personal data than in Poland. I do not agree on tracking stuff tho. I bet the Polish ID cards don't use RFID technology - proximity scanners anyone? Full tracking and logging of your movements? Other RFID chips in the vicinity at the same time? Who you spend time with and when? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konrad Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I bet the Polish ID cards don't use RFID technology - proximity scanners anyone? Full tracking and logging of your movements? Other RFID chips in the vicinity at the same time? Who you spend time with and when? No, polish one are just used to identify you in case you are stopped by police or have to contact goverment offices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Ooh can you post your full name, address, phone number, national security number, and bank details up here please -Ian That's a realistic argument!! Why TF would they want all that info. Surely if they knew where the vehicle was at a certain time then that is not invasive? It would assist with a lot of criminal activity and possibly help if your car got nicked. If you are going about your "legal" business then what would your problem be?? Oooh big brothers going to get you!! You sound paranoid to me!! My point exactly, and the people who roll over with the "If you've got nothing to hide " are part of the problem -Ian Yeah good point! I find people who have something to hide are great people to hang about with.....FFS!! H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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