Km's in 2008?

[Hank W.]

Keep your hopes small... 0.44/km

[Karhunkoski]

You talking about work related travel reimbursement?

[sinikala]

Keep your hopes small... 0.44/km

Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

It's only a couple of years ago that it was €0.40 ... 10% in a couple of years isn't too bad.

[Rosamunda]

... 10% in a couple of years isn't too bad.

.... until you compare it to the cost of petrol/diesel in the same period.

And, by the way, the matkakorti has gone up too. I just spent 100€ on travel passes for 2 of my kids and that only takes them up to ski week

[muddymuddy1]

Pendolino to Turku up €2 too (approx 7% rise)...........anyone know what the current inflation rate is here????

[Karhunkoski]

Hmmm, I remember some time ago reading somewhere that it cost about 30 cents/km to run an average car (including fuel, insurance, repairs, tax, etc). Assuming the figure was correct and the fact that you have to pay car insurance whether you drive on company business or not, then isn't the current rate actually "not bad"?

[superiorinferior]

Assuming the figure was correct and the fact that you have to pay car insurance whether you drive on company business or not, then isn't the current rate actually "not bad"?

Yes it sounds like quite a sweet deal to me. I do not get reimbursed by the government for riding in overcrowded trams and buses, why is the government giving an incentive to drivers who pollute?

There should be legislation introduced that restricts this tax break. Maybe only people who really need a car should be reimbursed (ie who don't live on a public transportation line).

[Karhunkoski]

Assuming the figure was correct and the fact that you have to pay car insurance whether you drive on company business or not, then isn't the current rate actually "not bad"?

Yes it sounds like quite a sweet deal to me. I do not get reimbursed by the government for riding in overcrowded trams and buses, why is the government giving an incentive to drivers who pollute?

There should be legislation introduced that restricts this tax break. Maybe only people who really need a car should be reimbursed (ie who don't live on a public transportation line).

Far be it for me to justify pollution, however I fear you may be confusing the tax break for those who need their car to travel to work with the actual subject, which is reimbursement for those who need to travel 100s of kms on company business.


(And the fule tax break is only available when you can prove that your commute to work isn't possible on public transport). Of course veryone could move to sunny Helsinki and work there, but then who would support the countryside infrastructure when the city boys wanted to drive to mökki for a swim?

[superiorinferior]

Hmmm, I remember some time ago reading somewhere that it cost about 30 cents/km to run an average car (including fuel, insurance, repairs, tax, etc). Assuming the figure was correct and the fact that you have to pay car insurance whether you drive on company business or not, then isn't the current rate actually "not bad"?

Actually, when all is taken into account, including the depreciating value of the car for every km driven, .44 / km doesn't cover it.

Those lucky enough to live in the city and close to their work can afford to live without a car. Not all of us have the luxury of public transport.

You would have the "luxury" of public transport if you take it into consideration when you decide where to live (like we always have done). It's not rocket science.

If you think lugging home furniture/groceries/kids/bicycles (oops, can't do that!)/etc/ etc/ etc/ on a bus is luxury...

[superiorinferior]

Of course veryone could move to sunny Helsinki and work there, but then who would support the countryside infrastructure when the city boys wanted to drive to mökki for a swim?

Hey, we had to move to sunny Helsinki, and it hasn't killed us. And as for that "infrastructure," do you mean the 4 or 5 grillikioskis on the small winding roads out there? please!

[Karhunkoski]

Hmmm, I remember some time ago reading somewhere that it cost about 30 cents/km to run an average car (including fuel, insurance, repairs, tax, etc). Assuming the figure was correct and the fact that you have to pay car insurance whether you drive on company business or not, then isn't the current rate actually "not bad"?

Actually, when all is taken into account, including the depreciating value of the car for every km driven, .44 / km doesn't cover it.

Those lucky enough to live in the city and close to their work can afford to live without a car. Not all of us have the luxury of public transport.

Ah, ok, I guess the figures I read were wrong, or perhaps didn't take into account annual depreciation, some of which I guess happens anyyway.

Fully agree with you on the city dwellers/public transport thing though, Have had conversations with self-righteous city folk before, bus as soon as I show a bus timetable, they say, "Hmm, yeah, see what you mean, you actually DO need a car to get to work". Personally, I hate car commuting, not only is it hard work at this time of year, scraping windows and plugging in engine block heaters, sitting whilst the inside of the screen defrosts, avoiding moose, well, just staying alive really. Would much rather be on a bus (and you don't need to worry if you had a drink the night before either)

[Karhunkoski]

Of course veryone could move to sunny Helsinki and work there, but then who would support the countryside infrastructure when the city boys wanted to drive to mökki for a swim?

Hey, we had to move to sunny Helsinki, and it hasn't killed us. And as for that "infrastructure," do you mean the 4 or 5 grillikioskis on the small winding roads out there? please!

With no population there would be little need for roads either

[superiorinferior]

Have had conversations with self-righteous city folk before, bus as soon as I show a bus timetable, they say, "Hmm, yeah, see what you mean, you actually DO need a car to get to work".

Chicken or egg? Am I to assume you bought the house you live in and you took the bus there?! I reckon that the car was present before the remote location.

Personally, I hate car commuting, not only is it hard work at this time of year, scraping windows and plugging in engine block heaters, sitting whilst the inside of the screen defrosts, avoiding moose, well, just staying alive really. Would much rather be on a bus (and you don't need to worry if you had a drink the night before either)

Every time I almost get run over by one of you suffering drivers in your warm cars with radios and CD players and heated seats and drink holders cradling your coffee beverages I will say a quiet prayer for you as I fall into a puddle.

[Rosamunda]

I use both public transport and a private car. It depends on where I am going, whether I am alone or not (eg with 3 kids it is usually MUCH cheaper by car) and what time of day.

BUT.... I work as a freelance teacher. I get paid by the hour. That's a TEACHING hour. I do not usually get paid for travel time. In any given day I spend as much time travelling as I do teaching. The math is not difficult. Hence, I often use my car.... That way I can get to my next lesson quicker.

My kids use public transport every day. It would cost me much less to drive them to school but I don't have the time. Unfortunately the little old ladies running Espoo Kaupunki didn't get their act together quick enough. If they had, we would all be riding into town on the metro every day.

[Karhunkoski]

Have had conversations with self-righteous city folk before, bus as soon as I show a bus timetable, they say, "Hmm, yeah, see what you mean, you actually DO need a car to get to work".

Chicken or egg? Am I to assume you bought the house you live in and you took the bus there?! I reckon that the car was present before the remote location.

Actually, yes, I did arrive here on a bus, I didn't have a car to begin with, I didn't need one, so didn't buy one. Then I used the bus for travel when I could, when I couldn't, I didn't, hence a car. As I said earlier, I rather dislike car transport and didn't own a car when I didn't need one. So kindly pop your petty assumptions into your pipe and smoke them away