>>1810664The cost of petroleum and diesel has effects besides cars.
Freight and unelectrified train services rely on diesel. Ships really on bunker fuel, kerosene or diesel. Most refrigerated units for frozen or chilled foods rely on diesel. Agricultural and construction vehicles rely on diesel...
I take the train to work, but that train isn't electrified. A decision not to raise fares this fiscal year is welcome, but what happens next fiscal year is a very interesting question that no one has an answer to, only pessimism.
Also, if you live in car dependent areas (grew up in a suburb or rural community), it's very difficult to move to an urban centre now, due to a mix of gentrification and lack of housing stock.
Of course, all this could be solved if we could just work from home. But unfortunately, the commercial landlords are just too powerful, and employers are threatening employees who don't come into the office to work.
My employer is doing a "hybrid" model, but it's mandatory. Idk if they're imposing disciplinary action against employees who don't come into the office, but as far as I'm aware, they're only letting employees with chronic health issues and disabilities to work from home full time. All the while, they only review their pay bands about once every 9 months, meaning that employees who drive to the office end up getting an effective pay cut, all because their corporate landlord (Saudi Arabian investment fund) wants money.
