Should there be a fee for vehicles at Nest yet?
Context - How the conversation started and where it has got to
This conversation was initiated by Simon 'Cheese'. Initial comment posted at the bottom of this Context. Anyone can edit this Context to keep it up to date.
Simon raised a concern about the fact that the core team have been discussing the implementation of a new vehicle pass charge of £10.
Several community members raised concerns around this, particularly considering those who are on a low income, have accessibility requirements or are bringing art/camps, etc.
Siren responded on behalf of the Core Team to outline that the new vehicle pass was proposed to reduce the number of cars on site, increase car sharing and reduce environmental impact, increase funding for art grants and to ensure we have a buffer for next year's event which may be larger than this year's.
Responses to this include suggestions that if there is financial requirement, that this should be attained through higher ticket prices overall and that any vehicle pass charge should have been made clear at the point of ticket sales.
At this point, proposals have been raised to implement the charge, but to exempt those with low income tickets, those with accessibility requirements and those bringing art/theme-camps.
The current plan is to continue the conversation here on Loomio and make a decision at the community meeting this Sunday.
Simon's Initial Comment
OK, so let's try out Loomio for something....
Last year we didn't have any charges for vehicles at Nest. My understanding is that the Core team would like to introduce a charge for vehicles this year.
My question is, to what end? If it's to reduce the number of vehicles (in the way BM's vehicle pass fee is) then I don't think that's particularly relevant (yet) for Nest as we don't have too many vehicles for the space or an Exodus issue.
The attendee numbers and site/size is the same as last year. I know we did back in Wales but there was much more limited parking there. And the train station was a LOT closer - public transport to the Nest site involves quite a taxi ride.
I'm not sure what any money taken for vehicles would be used for.
What does everyone else think?
Simon Edwards Tue 26 Mar 2019 2:52PM
For what it's worth @bekimo , I completely agree and think a lot of people will car share. We've already found people to come with us in our vehicle. I think introducing a charge late in the game is a bit unfair to those who have already bought a membership and weren't aware this could happen. It will be interesting to hear the rationale behind the thinking.
Beki Mo Tue 26 Mar 2019 2:53PM
thanks. do you know when a decision is being made?
Simon Edwards Tue 26 Mar 2019 3:01PM
I think there's a core team meeting tonight (I'm not core, FYI) so it may well get discussed then. But my understanding is that this has already been set up on the website, just not live yet. I hope that someone in the core team at least comments in here first to explain before just launching this.
If nothing else, it'll be hard to police. I'll be arriving long before gate opens so not sure there would be anyone to check my vehicle. And I can't see someone patrolling the site and checking all vehicles have some kind of badge in the window...
Hilda Breakspear Tue 26 Mar 2019 3:30PM
Were parking space a problem, then a vehicle charge might encourage car pooling, or use of alternative forms of transport. However, given that there is still plenty of room for cars, an extra charge would appear to the wider community as just a clumsy money making exercise. Given the distance from London, many people will already be planning to share transport to save on petrol money. A better way of protecting the event's carbon footprint would be to arrange coaches from major cities (not sure if this is already a thing or not). I'm struggling to find any positive argument for this proposal.
Simon Edwards Tue 26 Mar 2019 3:37PM
Again, agree with everything you've said. I've put on a coach service (I'm not core, just saw a need that no-one was fulfilling) which I'll be publishing details of later today (waiting for Nest to officially publicize it too).
Claire McAllen Wed 27 Mar 2019 7:03AM
This feels like something that will become a privilege.
Those who have money and can afford to will be able pay for parking will be able to bring a car and those who are poorer and can't afford parking one will be excluded.
From my own perspective I have fibromyalgia, I get DLA but I don't have a blue badge as I do not get higher level DLA.
I live on a very low income but rely heavily on my vehicle to make accessing services easier.
I am already at the mercy of having to pay to park just to be able to utilise services others are able to use.
Have you considered that charging for parking will cause those with a low income to be excluded from the festival?
Simon Edwards Wed 27 Mar 2019 8:33AM
Tagging @ionasteen - for comment about inclusion
Deleted User Wed 27 Mar 2019 4:26PM
Please don’t add car parking fees this year, as I’ve already bought my membership, and I haven’t budgeted for a parking pass. If you bring in the charge next year so you can purchase it alongside a membership upfront would be more ethical I think. I’m coming to the gathering on a shoestring budget, so the thought there might be more charges, is making me sweat
Lexy Thu 28 Mar 2019 12:48PM
"And the train station was a LOT closer - public transport to the Nest site involves quite a taxi ride."
For information - The nearest train station is 6 miles away from the site (Newton Abbot) which is a 10 minute taxi ride, or a there is a bus (X46) which literally drops off at the end of the driveway / entrance to event (approx 30 minutes journey total).
There are also National Express coaches to Newton Abbot also as well as trains, to provide more affordable options.
As I understand, the proposed price is £10 per car.
I definitely agree that if this does happen then inclusion and accessibility needs should be taken into account definitely.
Beki Mo · Tue 26 Mar 2019 2:47PM
the vehicle pass thing is a real pain. ive already bought a low income ticket, and hadnt factored in any extra money for paying for the car. train fare is way too expensive for me, and tbh, having the days off work is enough of a financial issue as it is. if vehicles were going to be charged for then this should have been announced when memberships were sold, otherwise its a hidden cost. last year having a vehicle allowed us to bring loads of our camp equipment and buy food locally on the day we arrived rather than carry it from other side of the country. i also brought two burners with me, so the car was used efficiently. i think most burners car share, so it's not like people are being unnecessarily wasteful. sorry to sound grumpy, but it would be a pretty major issue for me!