We should absolutely be increasing fuel duty at the same rate or even higher than we do train and bus fares. Not doing so is a tax break for the more wealthy who drive a lot more. www.theguardian.com/money/2025/m... - ThreadSky

gazza-d.bsky.social • 2 days ago

We should absolutely be increasing fuel duty at the same rate or even higher than we do train and bus fares.
Not doing so is a tax break for the more wealthy who drive a lot more.
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/mar/01/rail-passengers-england-wales-fares-rise

Comments

borderlandsbike.bsky.social•2 days ago

In my view we need a transport pricing bill:

Fuel should rise at above public transport fares (as you say)

No airfare between is allowed to be cheaper than the equivalent open single rail ticket (for UK and selected non-UK destinations).

A medium term schedule for shifting to pay per mile

gazza-d.bsky.social•2 days ago

Exactly that. We should also use a lot of the revenue from fuel tax and road pricing to improve alternatives.

borderlandsbike.bsky.social•2 days ago

We tax(ed) smokers to pay for health improvements - there’s precedent, but a brave government is needed.

gazza-d.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yup and we also introduced a plastic bag tax on environmental grounds which really changed behaviour.
A mandatory car parking charge would really help too. And yea it needs bravery but I think would reap benefits inside a couple of years.

borderlandsbike.bsky.social•2 days ago

Mandatory parking charges would be a big motivator but politically seems impossible at the moment outside of some cities. I’d like to see enforcement of existing parking laws first personally as that will naturally reduce the ‘available parking space’ anyway and incentivise modal shift.

rolo-lines.bsky.social•2 days ago

The simplest way: 1. Tax all parking spaces at full business rates. 2. Ban all free employee parking, it should be paid for or taxed to the individual. Currently it is an untaxed perk. 3. Most important: Allow employers to prioritise prospective employees that live nearby and who will active travel.

gazza-d.bsky.social•2 days ago

It's only politically difficult because we don't have a govt willing to face down driving.
Only make it applicable to anywhere public with more than 10 spaces. Workplace parking levies can already be used successfully. Nottingham are using one to finance their public transport.

rolo-lines.bsky.social•2 days ago

I don't think it has changed behaviour plastic bag tax. Plenty of people just habitually pay a few pence for a bag, whilst Petrochemical plastics companies haven't changed their behaviour at all.

anwibu.bsky.social•2 days ago

Wealthy and privileged. It is a privilege to drive.

barbaracastle.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yup. Not sure if this government doesn't understand the importance of affordable public transport, or just doesn't care about it, but the impact is the same.

gazza-d.bsky.social•2 days ago

My take is that they don't really care that much about anything other than cars and driving.
The govt increased the bus single fare cap by 50% as well as the 5% rail fare rise.

barbaracastle.bsky.social•2 days ago

They're obviously scared of the outcry that would inevitably erupt if they did raise fuel duty. All the more need to change the public narrative about cars. It is tedious work, but every conversation and local article helps.

gazza-d.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yup. We all just have to chip away at it.
The old narrative that we can't raise fuel duty without better alternatives sticks around like a bad smell, but that thinking evaporates and doesn't stop public transport fares increasing.

mr-blogberry.bsky.social•2 days ago

Although I am largely in agreement, some care needs to be taken with this.
There are a lot of poor areas that are not well served with public transport and there is also the haulage industry - that we still need.
Public transport is what I mainly use and it is stupidly expensive.

rolo-lines.bsky.social•2 days ago

The haulage industry's profit margins are massive. Don't be fooled.

gazza-d.bsky.social•2 days ago

That's not an excuse for freezing.
Since 2010 the fuel duty freeze has cost over £100 billion in lost revenue. That could be used to improve transport choices and reduce the car dependency which you hint at.
Oh and it would be easy to give breaks to haulage.
It's cars we need to hit hard.

mr-blogberry.bsky.social•2 days ago

As I said, I agree and also with the breaks for haulage firms.
I have a car that does less than 3000 miles pa. It is only used for those trips that public transport doesn't work for. I'm in the south east where we are well served by pt. I am very mindful that it isn't the same elsewhere.

gazza-d.bsky.social•2 days ago

The problem is that driving is too cheap and ridiculously subsidised at the expense of everything else.
Think for a moment what £100bn could do for public transport.
Making the cost of driving more realistic could also help tackle pollution too.
We cannot afford the status quo.
It's that simple.

mr-blogberry.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yep, and EVs are not the solution. The Eliz line is a great example. HS2 needs to get its act together, and I don't think it will take long for the extensions to be brought back into the conversation.
Locally though, we need a sensible approach to bus provision before the fuel duty is hiked.

gazza-d.bsky.social•2 days ago

It would be relatively quick & easy to launch bus services with more money which would come from fuel duty rises.
The core issue is that driving is too cheap.
The freeze is an effective cut every year for drivers.

Bus fare cap rose 50% this year.
How is that fair on those without cars?

Comments

Posting Rules

Reply