Alanbellend Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 (edited) Here we seem to have another example of “cost savings” in these austere time when government apparently can’t afford anything https://www.three.fm/news/isle-of-man-news/doi-wont-reveal-how-much-ronaldsways-bird-scaring-cars-cost/ Looking at the Volvo XC 40 Recharge the main “con” that appears on motoring sites is it’s actual COST. https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2024-volvo-xc40-recharge-single-motor-extended-range-ultimate-first-test-review/ https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/volvo/ex40 So we have bought two vastly expensive brand new EVs and now won’t say how much the taxpayer paid for them just to scare birds at Ronaldsway! Were these replacement cars or have we suddenly had to make up a bird scare problem to justify these completely unneeded purchases? Edited September 12 by Alanbellend 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Flint Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 In fairness, i get this. Volvo will be giving very good terms on these - possibly because they can't shift them. We were buying Range Rovers at ridiculously low prices back around 06-08. The sensitivity is on the side of the manufacturer rather than the DOI. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wright Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 44 minutes ago, Derek Flint said: In fairness, i get this. Volvo will be giving very good terms on these - possibly because they can't shift them. We were buying Range Rovers at ridiculously low prices back around 06-08. The sensitivity is on the side of the manufacturer rather than the DOI. But, if they want a 4x4, reliable, rugged, they could get a top of the range Dacia Duster for about £20,000 each after knocking off the VAT. They’d also do for most police work. But, no, pay another £20k, each after discount, because it’s not our money and we’ve got to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets. The truth is the vehicles won’t rack up enough miles for the fuel choice to make one jot of difference. It’s this sort of profligacy that cripples public service, this and the endless arse covering meetings and evidencing of decision making, that takes people away from actually delivering. 14 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanbellend Posted September 12 Author Share Posted September 12 1 hour ago, Derek Flint said: In fairness, i get this. Volvo will be giving very good terms on these - possibly because they can't shift them. We were buying Range Rovers at ridiculously low prices back around 06-08. The sensitivity is on the side of the manufacturer rather than the DOI. How much bird scaring do we need to do to buy two new EVs with a list price touching £50K? Did we have bird scaring cars before? These are real premium rated SUVs. Surely a couple of Nissan Notes would be fine if they are even needed in the first place? It the airport going to close if we haven’t scared enough birds with £100K worth of new premium EVS? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTF Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 (edited) i had a bird scaring car once , apparently the duct tape and zip ties gave it away. Edited September 12 by WTF 1 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Non-Believer Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 (edited) It's cold down there in the mornings, heated seats will be essential 🤑 A couple of days ago, somebody posted here that the airport firemen have received an undisclosed pay settlement too. Perhaps largesse is alive and well at our struggling airport... Edited September 12 by Non-Believer Extra bit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happier diner Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 1 hour ago, Alanbellend said: How much bird scaring do we need to do to buy two new EVs with a list price touching £50K? Did we have bird scaring cars before? These are real premium rated SUVs. Surely a couple of Nissan Notes would be fine if they are even needed in the first place? It the airport going to close if we haven’t scared enough birds with £100K worth of new premium EVS? I didn't think they still made Nissan Notes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happier diner Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 1 hour ago, Non-Believer said: It's cold down there in the mornings, heated seats will be essential 🤑 A couple of days ago, somebody posted here that the airport firemen have received an undisclosed pay settlement too. Perhaps largesse is alive and well at our struggling airport... The top spec duster has heated seats as standard 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mistercee Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 A thumping great V8 with big bore exhausts would obviate the need for the addition of specialised bird scaring equipment!! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wright Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 46 minutes ago, Happier diner said: The top spec duster has heated seats as standard I bought one in 2014, still got it in Spain. Ex demo. Cost £14,000. In terms of value for money it’s the best car I’ve ever had. Extremely reliable. Goes anywhere. I had the windows tinted and the seats reupholstered in leather in 2020. Was in Bulgaria with it. Cost £2000. Probably more than car was worth. But it’s now very comfortable, rather than OK. Had a hand clutch fitted which works like a dream, and a tail gate hoist for my chair. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred the shred Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 All they need is an old van there are thousands on the road with rusty wheels and dodgy exhausts it doesn’t have to be in good nick it is private property and there is little traffic around only their own luggage loaders and petrol tanks. This is blatant overspending if they had got a terrific deal they would not be shy about revealing the cost. Police cars are a totally different cup of tea the mileage between the two cannot be compared. Total disgrace. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LooseChange Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 As pointed out in the Airport Topic, there will be many vehicles already owned by the DOI that could have been repurposed. I accept that some off road capabilities may be required in case the vehicle needed to drive on the grass instead of the tarmac. But I simply cannot understand why two brand new luxury SUVs were required for what is, generally speaking, the simple job of driving on the taxiways at the airport playing bird distress calls through a loud speaker. I assume the DOI were in some sort of, we have some extra budget for the Airport this quarter, we'd better spend it on something territory. I would love to know the actual justification for such largesse. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Phantom Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 5 minutes ago, LooseChange said: I accept that some off road capabilities may be required in case the vehicle needed to drive on the grass instead of the tarmac. A Volvo EV would be far from the top of the list when requiring any offroad capabilities! Depending on which spec they chose, the base model (yes it's likely they went for the full luxury full power version) is only 2 wheel drive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gladys Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 Surely this capital expenditure would have been included in the departmental budget and a business case made? If so, were searching questions asked about the spec and necessity? I sometimes wonder if capital expenditure is treated differently from revenue account expenditure and whether anyone actually thinks about cash. For capital expenditure there will be an asset, and in very naive accounting terms, there is no loss of assets, you are merely converting one asset into another. However, the fact is that the asset will be depreciated and cash will have been lost. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Non-Believer Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 50 minutes ago, LooseChange said: But I simply cannot understand why two brand new luxury SUVs were required for what is, generally speaking, the simple job of driving on the taxiways at the airport playing bird distress calls through a loud speaker. Short explanation. Egos, Govt sense of entitlement and utter disregard for the taxpayer. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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