[wordup] Ford Testifies to Stop Ride Sharing

[Adam Shand]

Via: The Eristocracy <Eristocracy at merrymeet.com>
Link: http://www.bbspot.com/News/2002/08/ride_sharing.html

Thursday,  August 22 12:32 AM EDT
Ford Testifies to Stop Ride Sharing
By Brian Briggs 

Washington DC - William Ford Jr., CEO of the Ford Motor Company testified
before Congress about the nationwide problem of ride sharing. Ford cited
ride swapping as the number one reason for the the company's declining
revenue. "These 'pool pirates are depriving Ford of rightful income. Three
sometimes four people are sharing rides. Less wear and tear on the cars
means fewer new car purchases. That's revenue that's being robbed from
Ford." 

A recent study by the Gartner Group supports Ford's claims that ride sharing
runs rampant across the US. The study showed showed that children under the
age of 16 were the biggest offenders. Almost 99% of children in that age
group said they had shared a ride in the past week. The study also showed
that ride sharing had spread to the Internet in the form of "Car Pool"
message boards where the "Road Robbers" set up their swaps.

Many Representatives questioned Ford's claim that consumers used ride
sharing to put off purchases of new cars for 3 or even 4 years. "You're
telling me that people don't receive new cars as gifts from lobbyists every
year? I find that allegation preposterous," asked a Representative from
Virginia.

After testimony was completed Representatives from Michigan introduced the
Driving Solo Enforcement Act of 2002, which aims to curb ride sharing
activities by making it illegal to have more than one person in a car at a
time. The bill also attempts to stop government support of this activity by
closing down car pool lanes. Persons caught sharing rides would be subject
to a $2500 and up to 1 year in prison.

Other witnesses before the Transportation Committee testified that people,
often foreigners, were selling rides on the street in cars called "taxis".
They shared stories of how they paint their cars yellow and cruise the
streets looking for potential ride sharers.

"Mr. Ford needs to wake up and smell the coffee," said Frank Wallace, an
opponent of the bill. "I haven't bought a new car in 6 years! I ride with my
friends, I ride with my parents. Sometimes I even walk to work. If they pass
this law people are still gonna share rides. They may have to hide in the
trunk, but they're still gonna do it."

Many soccer moms are worried by what this legislation may do to their hectic
schedules. "It might be a bit inconvenient, but I guess I'll just have to
let little Johnny drive the mini-van to soccer practice by himself," said
Melissa Garrett of Concord, New Hampshire. "He can touch the pedals by
himself now and I don't want to break any laws."

Exxon Mobil and the Asphalt Workers of America also testified on the
importance of stopping ride swapping.

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