Why are taxis allowed in bus lanes?

[55palfers]

Firstly, I don't think bus lanes should exist. UK motorists pay a huge amount of tax and should be entitled to use 100% of the available road network.

However, why are taxis allowed in them? Usually there's only one passenger and it's quite often a rather elderly diesel vehicle.

Surely it's just like a private car carrying one person to their destination and should be shown no greater favour than any other road user.

[caelite]

Because it offers mild justification for them existing. A smooth flow of taxi's look better than an entirely empty lane waiting for a bus that comes every 30minutes.

[Your Dad]

55palfers said:

UK motorists pay a huge amount of tax and should be entitled to use 100% of the available road network.

Just remind me, which tax pays for the road network?

[Jasandjules]

Your Dad said:

Just remind me, which tax pays for the road network?

It is not ring fenced. But fuel duty, insurance tax, road tax are paid for by motorists are they not?

and OP, my guess was taxis like bus companies, must pay something towards MPs etc to get these things...

[trickywoo]

Jasandjules said:

It is not ring fenced. But fuel duty, insurance tax, road tax are paid for by motorists are they not?

Don't forget the 20% VAT on everything car related also which is probably much more than all of those combined.

[RB Will]

To be fair I'm glad Taxis can use them as if I were to be in a taxi I would be angry paying just to sit in a traffic jam with everyone else watching the meter go up.

[Your Dad]

trickywoo said:

Jasandjules said:

It is not ring fenced. But fuel duty, insurance tax, road tax are paid for by motorists are they not?

Don't forget the 20% VAT on everything car related also which is probably much more than all of those combined.

FTFY

So it's not also covered by income tax and council tax then, which would cover contributions made by non-car owning people who are effectively paying for roads they don't drive on?

[General Fluff]

Because allowing a proportion of vehicles to use bus lanes eases congestion for all of us. I agree taxis are no more deserving than private cars but they're easily classified, along with bikes.

[55palfers]

Your Dad said:

55palfers said:

UK motorists pay a huge amount of tax and should be entitled to use 100% of the available road network.

Just remind me, which tax pays for the road network?

There's £40 billion (7% of all UK taxation??) collected from motoring related taxes - I reckon you know the answer.

[swisstoni]

I'd class taxis as a form of public transport so can't see a big deal.

[tomjol]

General Fluff said:

Because allowing a proportion of vehicles to use bus lanes eases congestion for all of us. I agree taxis are no more deserving than private cars but they're easily classified, along with bikes.

This.

Also, private cars need to be parked after every journey, taxis (theoretically) don't.

[Mr Snrub]

It's even worse when they aren't even carrying a passenger. I agree with the OP, they're run by private companies or individuals so why should they be allowed in?

[AlexHat]

swisstoni said:

I'd class taxis as a form of public transport so can't see a big deal.

+1 I was about to post the same thing. I assume that emergency services vehicles are also allowed to use the bus lanes when responding to a call.

[SystemParanoia]

you can to if you buy an old black cab as your daily

[Your Dad]

Hang on!

I've just realised that cyclists can use bus lanes, and they don't even pay tax or have insurance.

[55palfers]

swisstoni said:

I'd class taxis as a form of public transport so can't see a big deal.

...but if the taxi isn't carrying a fare?

[Janesy B]

Mr Snrub said:

It's even worse when they aren't even carrying a passenger. I agree with the OP, they're run by private companies or individuals so why should they be allowed in?

Some bus companies are privately so I guess they're not allowed to use them either?

I can totally see how having taxis sat in traffic will really help draw tourists and business to London.

55palfers said:

...but if the taxi isn't carrying a fare?

So someone waiting for a taxi has to wait longer because it's stuck in traffic and can't use the bus lane?

[frisbee]

Your Dad said:

Hang on!

I've just realised that cyclists can use bus lanes, and they don't even pay tax or have insurance.

What about if a cyclist takes his bike in a taxi? And if they were a bus driver as well maybe?

[55palfers]

Janesy B said:

Mr Snrub said:

It's even worse when they aren't even carrying a passenger. I agree with the OP, they're run by private companies or individuals so why should they be allowed in?

Some bus companies are privately so I guess they're not allowed to use them either?

I can totally see how having taxis sat in traffic will really help draw tourists and business to London.

55palfers said:

...but if the taxi isn't carrying a fare?

So someone waiting for a taxi has to wait longer because it's stuck in traffic and can't use the bus lane?

a) There is a world outside of London by the way.

b) What about the hundreds of drivers waiting in congested traffic due to 50% of the available road being off-limits?

[problemchild1976]

Your Dad said:

Hang on!

I've just realised that cyclists can use bus lanes, and they don't even pay tax or have insurance.

thats not true........

lots of cyclists have insurance. My friend who had a car pull out on him and smashed up his bike asked to exchange insurance details to pay for the bike!

plus he pays RFL on his car thats on his drive! and pays fuel duty when not commuting.

the thought that no cyclist pays into the road network is ridiculous tbh

i bet a high % of car drivers own bikes

JJ