observer Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 You mean we still have a class system?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted December 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2008 Damn right and well worth the extra outlay; especially on Eurostar Obs. Nothing better than a 3 course dinner with booze as you rattle along under the channel! and all that after a hearty breakfast courtesy of Virgins Pendolino service to London! I drove to France (all the way to the South for 11 years) 726 miles from Calais to Argeles Sur Mer and I look back now and wonder why I ever bothered when the train is the way to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inky pete Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 You basically price everyone out of their cars, in order to fund "free" public transport for all. If you price everyone out of their cars, then who exactly is going to fund all this public transport? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 Cos it wouldn't happen; if car tax was ?million a year some could afford it and quite a few would break their necks trying to afford it - so they would have clear roads whilst the majority crammned into the free buses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inky pete Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 That would mean that driving a car, and the resultant freedoms to go where one wants when one wants, would become a perk available only to the rich. Not very egalitarian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 Exactly; but since when has egalitarianism governed such things, many folk currently can't even afford a car at all? But in answer to your point, there is a way of reducing the number drivers on safety grounds = reducing the amount of traffic: simply by operating a higher standard of driving test, to include a full medical and psyco profiling - that should roughly disqualify about 50% if not more - add to this permanent bans for drink driving and persistent speeding etc; and there wouldn't be many left on the roads at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RENT-A-GOAT Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 But that would then leave a huge defecit in the road fund revenue, obs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 Obs does have a point for those of us who have bad habits a regular test of some sort would focus us on trying to drive better. As a consequence we would bring employment to driving instructors, test centres (now wouldn't tht be good for Warrington?), opticians, psychologists I can see wealth creation taking place on a mini scale. As for the NO vote in Manchester I'm just glad that I no longer have to make the daily journey - long ago I gave up travelling by CAR it's a nightmare traffic congestion and accidents every day. The trains have improved over the decade that I travelled but maybe that is onlt because I adjusted my journey times as I was fed up to the back teeth with being squashed as a sweaty kipper between Birchwood and Oxford Road. However just look at the Birchood parking area in front of the station. Cars parked all over the place. This was going to get worse with the congestion charge. Having said this I don't understand the heavy defeat of the congestion charge - money would have been pumped into improving the transport system. Something which the Mancs obviously can't understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Kennedy Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 I think Geoff that people just didn't believe that that would be the case, and during these difficult economic times when money is tight, people don't want government picking their pockets...again. Wrong strategy at the wrong time, hence a massive rejection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianR Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 look at teh detail, thats why it was a no vote. Most of the money went on Metro Link which didnt serve enough areas. The charge itself woulf cost ?500m to srat (estimated) and that came out of the ?2.75bn allocated. Also the loan was for 30 yrs but the charge was indefinaite and when 30 yrs were up, the charge profit (if any) went back to central government. Overall it was an awful idea especially as other surroundign areas werent introducing it and therefore suddenly became more compettive. As for the trains try trvaelling on them daily. They have actually stagnated in last 10 years but numbers have risen dramatically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RENT-A-GOAT Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 Having said this I don't understand the heavy defeat of the congestion charge - money would have been pumped into improving the transport system. Something which the Mancs obviously can't understand. If you seriously believe that then your mind really is tapped!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 And Plan B is? Hopefully the one thing that may come out of it is a better understanding of why progress on traffic congection is not now going to take place in Manchester. Maybe they could learn from the excellent Warrington model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted December 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 And Plan B is?Hopefully the one thing that may come out of it is a better understanding of why progress on traffic congection is not now going to take place in Manchester. Maybe they could learn from the excellent Warrington model. Maybe they will do the European thing and just keep asking until they get the answer they want. As for Warringtons congestion, just go to work earlier or later. That is the way to beat congestion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted December 26, 2008 Report Share Posted December 26, 2008 Changing my working hours is what I do and I think that more companies should allow their staff the flexibility wherever possible. It just requires a bit of creativity, flexibility and good business practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted December 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 Changing my working hours is what I do and I think that more companies should allow their staff the flexibility wherever possible. It just requires a bit of creativity, flexibility and good business practice. Geoff. In these troubled times (and when they get worse) people will be thankful for any employment they can get and will not be welcomed at the front of the queue if they start demanding all sorts of concessions from their employers. I always found that when I gave my employees flexibility in working hours (such as starting anytime after 7am and working till say 7pm) all it meant was that I got phonecalls for 12 hours a day with questions and problems instead of the usual 8!! In our line of work we could work more flexibly and work hours to avoid say the rush hour etc. because we work on other peoples sites. The problem then is that if the customer won't be flexible and open at 7, we can't start then either. and as for good business practice; who are you to state what is good business practice? Good business practice to any business is the practice that makes them the most profit to enable them to pay their staff and their bills. Worrying about what times their staff may like to work is not top of the list I'm guessing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RENT-A-GOAT Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 I read a while back the government plan to introduce "workplace charging levys" or some such - ?1200 a year to park your car at work and billions of pounds of investment and backhanders in public transport perhaps!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 I don't belive that I stated what Good Business Practice is did I? Anyway it's certainly not getting my staff to stand in line begging for their jobs. There are many ways of being flexible these days which can be to the benefit of employers and employee alike. I suppose that you are rigt to point out Bazj that some employers will take advantage and we should all be aware of the pit falls that this can bring to the profit margin. It does sound as if your staff did take the mick a bit if they got you answering the phone 12 hours a day. And as for billions of pounds in back handers (Rent-a-goat) for parking concessions which country's government was making such as offer? Ok If plan B isn't flexible working because it will destroy businesses likes Bazjs what about the Greek/Chinese method - Even registration numbers on Monday,wednesday and Friday & Odd numbers Tuesday Thursday and Saturday - for even weeks of the years and all swap for the odd weels of the year. Sundays free for all as there is little traffic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted December 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 I don't belive that I stated what Good Business Practice is did I? No Geoff you didn't directly; however you did hint that current practices weren't good! Anyway it's certainly not getting my staff to stand in line begging for their jobs. Me neither.... they can come in one at a time!! (that was a joke by the way!) I suppose that you are rigt to point out Bazj that some employers will take advantage and we should all be aware of the pit falls that this can bring to the profit margin. It does sound as if your staff did take the mick a bit if they got you answering the phone 12 hours a day. It is always a problem Geoff; if people who work for you have every number you have! I have one lad who; if he can't get me on my mobile, will ring the office, my home office and finally my home number! One after the other.... he never seems to think that if I don't answer my mobile I may actually be on the phone to someone else! Even registration numbers on Monday,wednesday and Friday &Odd numbers Tuesday Thursday and Saturday - for even weeks of the years and all swap for the odd weels of the year. Sundays free for all as there is little traffic? That would boost the car economy Geoff because people would have to buy two cars; one with an odd reg number and one with an even reg number! Think of all the extra billions in insurance tax having to insure two cars each!! I think you have just solved the economic crisis single handedly!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RENT-A-GOAT Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 And as for billions of pounds in back handers (Rent-a-goat) for parking concessions which country's government was making such as offer? I can't post links to other news websites here, but Google "workplace charging levy" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted December 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 Geoff, it is the City of Nottingham which is proposing the scheme.... and when you read the responses; you see that it is a very popular scheme with the voters of the city...... not! I seem to remember that the government were talking of a similar scheme or schemes a few years ago. The idea was quietly dropped; probably due to voter disquiet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 Bazj prepared tis earlier but losy my connection, Rent-a-goat, good article by the Daily Telegraph on car park charging in Nottingham. Liverpool University have already gone ahead. They have installed barriers on their student and staff car parks. To gain access you need a card. On entry the card deducts payment from your pay packet at the end of the month. The University's aim is to try and reduce the dependancy on the car primarily because the car park was not big enough for the ever increasing demand. However the University also stated that they saw it as an opportunity to increase the number of people sharing cars, using public transport, cycling, walking etc Very much backing the Friends of the earth view in Goats article. 'Friends of the Earth's Tony Bosworth said: "Charging companies for parking places will encourage them to help give employees more travel choices through car-sharing schemes, public transport-use and working from home - cutting both emissions and fuel bills'. My wife works in the University and staff and students weren't too happy when the scheme was introduced but the new charge has seen quite a few of those that live close abandoning their journey by car. Bazj - I sympathise with your problems with the person who keeps ringng you on the slightest excuse and won't make a decision without your approval. Do you have a 2nd in common that can take the brunt of these calls? Has your company got some sort of escalation procedure? Where I used to work our senior managers were not contacted unless it was essential especially during out of 'normal' working hours. The service desk never released details of any senior managers telephone numbers. Managers used to take it in turns as to who was on call during the night. Good to see that you are approaching the Greek solution with lateral thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 Geoff, some people do have their own companies and may not work the same as UU. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted December 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 Geoff.... I think you are confusing my company with BT or something! We are a small company and unfortunately; as the PR department is on holiday right now so you get me! We have an accounts department (who are "on the phone right now and I will let them know you called chasing payment") and "the person you need to speak to regarding the mobile phone contracts does not take direct calls I'm sorry". Other than that, "how can I help you"??!! So you see sometimes it pays to be small and have lots of different departments to deal with the problems! I have always had people call me at all hours Geoff; customers as well as employees; unfortunately that is the way our business works. It does mean that me and my partner never lose touch with what the company is all about and although I may pretend to moan about having my own business; I would certainly never go and work for someone else again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 I do understand your dilemma and yet satisfaction of running your own company. I hope that in 2009 you will expand enough to be able to take on a couple more staff to help cope with the increase turnover. Maybe one can specialise in being able to deal with certain queries so that you aren't called to answer as many questions. You will then be able to benefit from economies of scale whilst you get some quality time to enjoy some of your rewards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 Free lessons in Management skills Baz, you can't beat that at xmas. LOL OR is he after a job? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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