Complaints about the cost of fuel are usually linked to the perceived high overall cost of motoring.

But while public transport remains cheaper than the overall cost of buying, maintaining and running a car, bus and rail fares are rising at a much more rapid rate.

If current trends continue, motoring costs are likely to remain little changed, although this is at the mercy of fluctuating fuel prices.

Since 1993 train fares have gone up 93%, motoring costs 20%

Since 1987 the corresponding figures are 180% and 80%

And don't forget that motoring is very heavily taxed

Eg fuel taxes at around 350%.

 

Whilst public transport gets virtually tax free fuel, or can reclaim most of its fuel taxes.

And it receives massive subsidies.

Effectively out of the draconian taxation of motorists.

 

Shan't bother to mention the social costs of the car.

Remind me:

What would they be?

 

Oh, I remember!

 

Things like the harm to health of "traffic" pollution.

Which turned out to be caused by buses and trains and the power stations that fueled trams and trains.

 

Or "car made" global warming.

Funny how the above, and domestic heating, and the like, which generate far more CO2 magically don't contribute to it, and how, without any cars, planets throughout the solar system are experiencing it!

And the harm that that supposedly does.

Like flooding Pacific islands by between 8 and 80 feet.

When even the global warmers latest computer models put it at between minus 1 and 8 inches!

 

Then, of course, there's the classic:

Social "cost" of congestion.

Motorists are blamed for the £Billions congestion costs THEM!

 

Would you like to remind me of any more I've forgotten?

Like the noise and pollution caused by cars:

Having to negotiate speed bumps, perhaps?

 

Didn't anyone ever tell you that when you're in a hole:

Stop digging!

 

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