Truck Protest
Sep. 19th, 2005 10:19 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lostcarparkI took the car today because I need to get a couple of places that are difficult by public transport.
So I got on the M1, turned the radio on, and immediately got a report about a protest by truck drivers who were driving slowly down the M1, and were planning to tour the city centre, ending up outside government buildings, as a protest about the price of fuel. Great timing on my part!
I caught up with the convoy around Malahide, and at that point the truck drivers seemed to be well behaved, keeping to the left lane and letting traffic pass without too many problems. It did look quite impressive to see the line of trucks, though it didn't take very long to pass - the radio report estiomated 40-50, but I'd say it was on the lower end of that scale. The motorway seemed a bit busier than usual, but then I don't often use it during rush hour. I hit traffic, as expected at the port tunnel, and sat with little movement for the next half hour or so. There was a fairly heavy Garda (Police) presence, so any thoughts of nipping up the bus lane (not that I would do such a thing) were quickly dispelled.
Personally, I have little sympathy for their cause. Ireland has the lowest fuel tax in the EU, and every other operator has the same problems. If the road hauliers put up their prices, their customers have little choice but to pay. If the hauliers can afford to absorb the increased fuel costs, then they were already raking in big profits, and if they can't, then neither can their competitors. I suspect that less than fifty trucks were taking part demonstrates that most of their industry have realised they've never had it so good, and moaning will get them nowehere.
The truckers later passed our office on the quays, making lots of noise as they did.
On the plus side, I did one of my drop-offs on the way in, and found a route from there to the office that seemed much less congested than the way I usually would go. Still sticking to the train for general travel, though.
So I got on the M1, turned the radio on, and immediately got a report about a protest by truck drivers who were driving slowly down the M1, and were planning to tour the city centre, ending up outside government buildings, as a protest about the price of fuel. Great timing on my part!
I caught up with the convoy around Malahide, and at that point the truck drivers seemed to be well behaved, keeping to the left lane and letting traffic pass without too many problems. It did look quite impressive to see the line of trucks, though it didn't take very long to pass - the radio report estiomated 40-50, but I'd say it was on the lower end of that scale. The motorway seemed a bit busier than usual, but then I don't often use it during rush hour. I hit traffic, as expected at the port tunnel, and sat with little movement for the next half hour or so. There was a fairly heavy Garda (Police) presence, so any thoughts of nipping up the bus lane (not that I would do such a thing) were quickly dispelled.
Personally, I have little sympathy for their cause. Ireland has the lowest fuel tax in the EU, and every other operator has the same problems. If the road hauliers put up their prices, their customers have little choice but to pay. If the hauliers can afford to absorb the increased fuel costs, then they were already raking in big profits, and if they can't, then neither can their competitors. I suspect that less than fifty trucks were taking part demonstrates that most of their industry have realised they've never had it so good, and moaning will get them nowehere.
The truckers later passed our office on the quays, making lots of noise as they did.
On the plus side, I did one of my drop-offs on the way in, and found a route from there to the office that seemed much less congested than the way I usually would go. Still sticking to the train for general travel, though.
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no subject
Date: 2005-09-19 03:18 pm (UTC)havent seen you comment about ESB or Gas increases, which no one has a choice about.
If a haulage company agreed a contract at the begining of teh year, how can they alter it with fuel increases, the people who are benifitting are not hauliers. You dont se business striking because of the increase in fuel, although teh poor turnout is odd, I think.
nah, I think they have a tough job are badly paid, and now are getting shafted with fuel prices. You say fuel is lowest tax. So which european countries have VRT tax, as well as vat on wehicles. What about our road tax and also tolls on bridges, that the governement rakes in 45% of profits on. Yet our roads are a disgrace, some places have no roads worth mentioning and yet, billions is paid in taxes from road users to teh govt.
j
no subject
Date: 2005-09-19 04:08 pm (UTC)