I have the option to choose to use a company car, or accept a car allowance of 3,200GBP per annum. My home is just a bus ride away from my office. I'll be flying to Middlesex this January, and this is my first time to go to UK (I'll be working there permanently, I hope). I'm asian, and I have a driver's license, but no experience with right-hand driving. I really have no idea which option is better, so if you guys could help me, that will be great! Thanks in advance!
2006-11-27 22:41:29 · 4 answers · asked by Michelle 2 in Travel ➔ United Kingdom ➔ London
I will be working at Heathrow Airport, and I'll be staying at Hayes.
2006-11-28 20:13:18 · update #1
(If you will be living and working in Middlesex, I presume you mean rural London i.e. the quieter outskirts. Middlesex is a large area. You need to inform us of the exact district/area you will be living in. My answer below assumes you are living in a quieter, suburb of London.)
How often does the bus come? How reliable is the bus? What happens when the bus breaks down or doesn't arrive as sometimes happens in the UK?
The UK is dark, cold and rainy for almost 3 seasons out of 4. Do you really want to wait at a busstop alone in the cold and dark with rain occasionally, both in the mornings and evenings?
If you have to leave work late at night or in the evening, will the bus be as frequent at those times?
Consider putting your personal safety and comfort above tax savings and take the company car.
Do a few lessons with a local driver training company (or a colleague) to get used to right hand driving. You are already an experienced driver so you will pick up the skill quickly. Have confidence in yourself.
Furthermore, if there are any problems with your company car (eg breakdowns) your company will pay for it all. Similarly they will organise all the general administration required for the car (e.g. tax disc, MOT, insurance etc.)
Take the company car.
I wish you the best of luck with your new role
2006-11-28 07:56:41 · answer #1 · answered by Mark C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't need a car in London. The parking is horrible and limited and VERY expensive and driving in London is extremely trickey and even locals get lost all the time. If they give you a car allowance and you live close to the office, you can just as easily bus it and it will be faster than driving. Also: stick with black cabs because they won't cheat you by driving around and running the meter up, and they study for 3 years to be a professional cabbie in London, and it's very hard to learn your way around. You'll see when you're there. Traveling out of London is just as easy without a car: great rail system, buses and cabs. Not like America with long distances to travel and no decent public transpo system. Lucky dog!
2006-11-28 17:00:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you have no experience with right hand driving, london is not the place to get a car immediately, rather work on your driving, then get the car. to have a company car, you will get taxed on it, as you will use it for personal use, on the plus side , you get to do all your shopping with it, heavy bags, etc. and you dont pay for any maintenance, services, car tax, insurance etc, you may find parking a problem though - even at your own home. If you dont take the car, no problem as well, if work remains a few stops from home, and you dont have to travel far. all the best.
2006-11-28 06:52:53 · answer #3 · answered by aisha l 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A car cost alot more, A bus will cost you around £3 aday to work and back. A bus travel card will cost you about £30-£40 a month. Have the car! you can travel around the country as trains can be costly.
2006-11-28 06:48:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋