Congestion charge in Sheffield

[actionman 12]

Good money Saturday night rubbish money every other night,that is a fact nowadays.people only really go out on Saturday nights.Flag downs ?,very few nowadays.to get more work you need a radio (or app)=£100 a week,it all adds up to not much more than £5 an hour so to afford a £60k electric cab is a big ask.The idea is good the reality of owning one is beyond reach

 

Every driver might end up scrapping their current diesel hackney carriage and switch over to private hire.

[ANGELFIRE1 10]

The only report I've seen about the Leeds rejection says that basically the government don't want to spend that much money there so they have asked Leeds to come back with a cheaper scheme. See: https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/leeds-news/leeds-clean-air-zone-plans-15416907

 

The government often describe things they don't want to fund as "not offering good value for money". Strangely enough they can decide to fund projects which have low benefit / cost ratios when it suits them (the politicians).

 

I think that targeting the highest polluters first is as good a way as any of approaching it. However, I'd suspect it might be necessary to charge cars as well in order to meet the air quality targets.

 

The problem is that nothing that practically can be done to deal with air pollution is going to be popular with the electorate (because it either puts restrictions on them or costs them money). Hence politicians are reluctant to grasp the nettle and do what's necessary if it's going to mean they won't get re-elected.

 

The government are saying they want it all in place by 2021. Bearing in mind that extensive public consultation will have to take place in 2019 and the scope of the project, what it actually contains and who's paying for it is as yet uncertain, that's quite a demanding target.

 

 

Would that kill off what is left of the City center. Meadowhell will be rubbing its hands in anticipation.

 

Angel1.

[SHFS6 10]

I think they need to do their homework. Was asking a taxi driver about why he had the hybrid Toyota Prius and not the full electric. Apparently the full electric vehicles are no good around here as mileage is drastically reduced because of the hills.

 

You may in any event see a lot more of the hybrids, the driver told me his fuel bill for the average month was £250 compared to the £950 he was spending when he had an Audi. That sort of saving will get around the drivers quickly.

 

I imagine same issue about range/mileage would apply to buses.

 

Whatever happens it's likely itwill be the passengers picking up the tab for either improved vehicles or the congestion charge.

 

It's another tax on the poor by the back door. People without cars tend to be doing less well in the first place.

[ads36 214]

Hang on, the driver you mention is saving £700 per month, but somehow you claim cleaner vehicles are a tax on the poor?

[Planner1 428]

Would that kill off what is left of the City center. Meadowhell will be rubbing its hands in anticipation.

 

The whole of the city is an air quality management area. There are certainly problems around the Meadowhall area.

 

They could easily charge vehicles in that area too if need be.

 

---------- Post added 17-11-2018 at 11:02 ----------

 

I think they need to do their homework. Was asking a taxi driver about why he had the hybrid Toyota Prius and not the full electric. Apparently the full electric vehicles are no good around here as mileage is drastically reduced because of the hills.

They have done their homework, that's why taxi drivers are shortly going to have access to a fleet of electric cabs to try out and see whether they are practical here. They are also installing a number of rapid chargers at key locations which will help the electric cab drivers keep them charged throughout the day without losing too much time.

 

Battery technology and range of electric vehicles is improving all the time.

[woodview 10]

The whole of the city is an air quality management area. There are certainly problems around the Meadowhall area.

 

They could easily charge vehicles in that area too if need be.

 

---------- Post added 17-11-2018 at 11:02 ----------

 

They have done their homework, that's why taxi drivers are shortly going to have access to a fleet of electric cabs to try out and see whether they are practical here. They are also installing a number of rapid chargers at key locations which will help the electric cab drivers keep them charged throughout the day without losing too much time.

 

Battery technology and range of electric vehicles is improving all the time.

Would it apply to National Express coaches pulling in at Sheffield / Meadowhall? That could also have a big negative consequence.

[euclid 10]

. Was asking a taxi driver about why he had the hybrid Toyota Prius and not the full electric. Apparently the full electric vehicles are no good around here as mileage is drastically reduced because of the hills.

 

With a full electric the taxi driver would always be having to return to base/home to recharge the battery's, (unless you meant the PHEV Plug-In Prius)..and don't forget in winter with heating/lights on would lose charge more quickly,in summer with air con on ??? ...the Prius re-generates it's own charge when braking,de-accelerating etc,...plus it is an excellent vehicle known for reliability and build quality....i owned a Gen3 T-Spirit for 5 years never missed a beat...sometimes wonder why i swapped it :confused:...but...for another hybrid of course:D:D

[geared 302]

You may in any event see a lot more of the hybrids, the driver told me his fuel bill for the average month was £250 compared to the £950 he was spending when he had an Audi. That sort of saving will get around the drivers quickly.

 

Either his old Audi was shagged or he's not working as much.

 

The electric only range is 10-20 miles depending on model, less if he's up and down some of the larger hills in the city.

After that you're pottering around with a 1.8L petrol engine, it's lean burn and the hybrid kit helps some - but like I said, it's not magic.

 

Toyota claim over 90mpg, but real world puts it in the 40-60mpg ballpark, the lower figure being for city driving.

He could very will be spending £250 a month on fuel, but it's unlikely he's doing the same miles as previously, in fact almost impossible.

Edited November 17, 2018 by geared

[Planner1 428]

Would it apply to National Express coaches pulling in at Sheffield / Meadowhall? That could also have a big negative consequence.

Yes. The charging zone is proposed to apply to coaches. Remember the charges only apply to vehicles which are not Euro 6 compliant.

 

The engines on older vehicles can be retrofitted with better emission control gear to bring them up to Euro 6 standard. The proposal incudes having government funding to give grants to at least part fund the conversions. Newer coaches might already be Euro 6 compliant so would not be charged.

 

The coaches are going to have the same problem in every major city as they are all introducing clean air zones, so I'm not sure what "big negative consequences" you are referring to.

 

The emissions from these vehicles are having a negative impact on health.

[Guest busdriver1]

Most National express coaches are compliant as they have to enter the London zone. A large amount of First buses are compliant as there has been a large investment in new buses in Sheffield. The end result is that older buses have been and still are being transferred to depots outside the area like Doncaster. (Lucky Doncaster). There have also been several buses retrofitted with exhaust systems designed to reduce emissions. Transdev have recently introduced a fleet of electric only buses in Harrogate. On any given day it is unlikely you will see one running though as they bought cheap and are paying the price. York has some electric buses that are giving reasonable service and reducing pollution in York but increasing it near the power stations.

The only sensible way forward to tackle the small amount of emissions from buses is Fuel cell technology. This is being used in some areas but is very expensive with massive infrastructure needed.

Or, we could tackle the real issue and sort out Aircraft. Problem is there they have a lot of clout and are persuading government to leave them alone despite globally being the biggest offenders.

 

---------- Post added 18-11-2018 at 09:15 ----------

 

EURO 6 I believe.

 

So even though it is still possible to buy a Euro 5 bus with a life expectancy of 15-18 years....................

[Crosser 10]

On 11/13/2018 at 4:13 PM, truman said:

 

Wonder how many people would stop going into town to shop? After all Meadowhall is right on the doorstep,no parking charge no "congestion" charge..

...... And NO bargains.

[WalkleyIan 10]

On 11/17/2018 at 7:37 AM, ANGELFIRE1 said:

 

 

Would that kill off what is left of the City center. Meadowhell will be rubbing its hands in anticipation.

 

Angel1.

Meadowhall lies slap bang in one of the most polluted areas of the city and it just had a U-turn on its expansion plans. They're slowly moving away from retail and into leisure, so following the city centre model rather than leading it. The days of the big out of town shopping complex in its current form are numbered, They're just as vulnerable to online shopping but are they agile enough to adapt? It's not the 1990s  anymore