Workplace Parking II - Tax Spaces ?

[Drago]

Do you guys think car drivers should be taxed for using a parking space at work? Will it encourage more cycling, or penalise the needy? Or will it raise revenue and penalise the lazy?

 

[Theseus]

It would be difficult to enforce.

Where I work, we have a car park on a bit of ground that does not have any marked spaces. Parking is on a first come basis (apart from management obv.)

 

[gaz]

Wouldn't make a difference in the big smoke.
Those who drive, are those who are willing and are able to pay what ever costs.

The rest of us are far too sensible to drive and use other modes of transportation.

 

[Beebo]

They already do it in Nottingham. Its about £300 per year, paid by the employer.

Is a free work parking space a taxable benefit in kind? It may soon be.

 

[slowmotion]

Why not tax the coffee machine and the showers for good measure?

 

[seashaker]

I live 45 miles from work, would happily bike and use the train if it worked out cheaper than driving but public transport is a rip off so Driving wins!

 

[BSRU]

Instead of taxing spaces why not give a daily tax break to those who do not use a car parking space.

 

[seashaker]

Instead of taxing spaces why not give a daily tax break to those who do not use a car parking space.

sounds great to me, would park down the road and walk the final 100 yards. thinking most other people would do the same, many more cars blocking up side roads each day would be a total pain!

 

[BSRU]

sounds great to me, would park down the road and walk the final 100 yards. thinking most other people would do the same, many more cars blocking up side roads each day would be a total pain!

Like most ideas does not survive scrutiny.
They could double yellow line everyway then send a legion of traffic wardens round to hand out lots of fines, although it would never happen as the "war" on the motorist is over .

 

[User482]

Why not tax the coffee machine and the showers for good measure?

I didn't see any coffee machines or showers clogging up the roads this morning...

 

[Linford]

I didn't see any coffee machines or showers clogging up the roads this morning...

Realistically though, the only people who benefit from showers in the workplace are the ones who cycle.
They are a benefit in kind, and I've never actually worked in a place which has them.I do actually consider cycle commuting or motorcycle commuting as indulgent, and we don't queue in traffic, and if paid overtime on a clocking system, actually lose out as more time is required for the commute with all things considered when directly comparing modes.

 

[dellzeqq]

Parking is already taxed in that it's calculated in to the UBR. If memory serves the office parking space is rated at £1200 - although I don't know if that varies with location.

But......it's a splendid idea to levy an annual duty on spaces (not on the use of spaces) and well overdue. Almost as splendid as taxing car spaces at retail parks and supermarkets.
1. Parking contributes to congestion, and congestion is a charge not just on road users, but on everybody who spends time in our streets.
2. Parking contributes greatly to water run-off, and the surcharging of drains and sewers. It bypasses the water table.
3. About 22% of the surface area of our cities is devoted to vehicular transport. With space at a premium, that's way too much.

£5000 per year per space would be a good starting point. Disabled spaces and delivery space would not be taxked

 

[fimm]

The showers in our office are also used by people who go for a run at lunchtime - there are a few of them, possibly as many as the cyclists (there aren't many cyclists).

 

[slowmotion]

I didn't see any coffee machines or showers clogging up the roads this morning...

What exactly are roads for?

 

[theclaud]

Realistically though, the only people who benefit from showers in the workplace are the ones who cycle.
They are a benefit in kind, and I've never actually worked in a place which has them.I do actually consider cycle commuting or motorcycle commuting as indulgent, and we don't queue in traffic, and if paid overtime on a clocking system, actually lose out as more time is required for the commute with all things considered when directly comparing modes.

Your sentences are sufficiently confusing that I am not sure exactly what you are arguing, but if workplace showers are of particular benefit to cyclists (although they are of course available to anyone who wishes to make use of them), then of course they should not be taxed, as we want to make it as easy as possible for employers to encourage people to cycle to work instead of driving. Don't we, Linf?