CJOB hates the planet
CJOB launched a new feature on Monday called the “Gas Gauge.” I’ll let traffic hound Brian Barkley explain it in his own words:
It’s called the Gas Gauge, and we’re getting traffic watchers give us the lowest gas price they see or the lowest gas price they pay…It will be interesting if we can drive prices down by getting people to drive to these various areas to go to these lower priced stations. It couldn’t hurt. So I hope retailers are listening because we want to drive business your way.
First, if these guys think they’re going to have any impact on gas prices then they’re fools. This idea barely ranks above those ridiculous “let’s all boycott Esso on this one day” emails that go around every now and then. It simply won’t work, other than getting the odd station that wants to hear its name on the radio.
Second, yes Brian, it could hurt. For starters, you could actually make traffic worse by creating line-ups at the pumps. But more importantly, you’re encouraging people to drive unnecessary extra miles, and spew extra emissions, to potentially save a few cents at best. Way to think green guys!
Then again, CJOB’s commitment to the environment is probably best demonstrated by the fact they have Brian driving hundreds of km per day alone in an SUV while there’s also a god damn helicopter flying around doing the exact same job!
Contrast this with the more logical and sustainable approach of CBC Radio, which has installed a city-wide network of cameras in areas with high-volume traffic. They complement this system with phone tips from listeners, and manage to provide essentially the same service as CJOB without burning a single litre of gasoline or aviation fuel.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: cjob
Send a fax to Vic Grant’s secret fax and tell him about this outrage!
I love that Vic has yet to update to a secret e-mail.
…..and just for your info the chopper uses about 16 gallons of fuel per hour. But it’s a darn cool chopper.
In pursuit of the almighty dollar, CJOB has decided to have a helicopter fly and give “traffic reports” . This is not Montreal, Vancouver or Toronto, we have maybe 700,000 people, we don’t need that thing destroying the peaceful mornings and creating the worst greenhouse gas possible. I personally hate that eye in the sky.
John
- spot on with “let’s boycott esso” and “call with the cheapest” -
- what about the extra driving to get to announced cheapest gas price - To save how much -
- even at 5 cents a litre, a 30 litre - the average tank for normal people - not the macho-dickheads in hummers, suvs and massive trucks that never leave lindenwoods - fill saves you a single cup of coffee - and you drove how much further - listened to a different station for how long - etc - for a buck and a half-
- wah wah wah - gas prices are too high - get rid of your hummer or suv that you dont need -
- personally - i am praying for $5 a litre prices - yes five bucks — i cannot afford that price either - because only then will people do the right thing - “rolling back the gas price” a la walmart isnt a solution - getting off petroleum is - but we’re not working at it - not enough research money and not enough citizens asking for it -
- the biggest question(s) are:
- why is nobody - and i do mean nobody - screaming for better cars-
- why is the government squashing the canuck built and designed avro aero - i mean - electric car
- the very first car was - gasp - electric - but there was more oil than hydro in texas.
- i love the eye in the sky - but for what we call rush hour - it and the traffic van driving around the streets all day - are a waste of resources-
- the real problem with traffic in this city - is that there is only one person in most cars - despite having the same destination - too many people are beyond reluctant to offer a lift to friends/neighbours/colleagues -
- winnipeggers - shut up about road conditions - they are better than most of the planet - and they are not that bad - i will gladly drive on bumpy roads if it means getting the elmwood cc back - tell the kids at sherbrook pool that money is better spent on wavery west streets than their only recreational facility within walking distance.
broose
I agree with most of what you’re saying here Broose. Although I won’t go so far as to wish for $5 gas — imagine how expensive pizza delivery would become?
If prices do rise in the next few years to the $2.25 level as predicted recently by CIBC economists, then I think you’ll see some significant shifts in behaviour.