But it doesn't help small businesses. It certainly doesn’t help the truckers and the fishers and the farmers and the manufacturers and the miners that are relying on fuel supply.

Actually encouraging or dare I say mandating WFH for office drones would help those who can't WFH as it reduces demand for fuel.

[–] Zagorath@aussie.zone 14 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Reduces demand and reduces the amount of traffic on the roads, which has the dual effect of further reducing demand (since the trucks themselves get places faster and more smoothly, using less fuel) and also improving operational efficiency because trucks arrive sooner and more predictably.

[–] PDFuego@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago (2 children)

It's so obvious. I've never had a job that was possible to do from home, but everyone being home and off the roads helps so much. I had a driving job when covid hit. Everything about it was easier, faster and less stressful when most people were staying home, and oh would you look at that, driving when you're less stressed is another way to save fuel because you're less likely to thrash your car. Whether you're able to personally do it or not, WFH benefits everybody. Well, all of the actual workers anyway, but we know how the Liberals feel about us already.

[–] Salvo@aussie.zone 2 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

WFH benefits local cafes and restaurants.

Staying cooped up at home during the workday, and evening isn’t healthy. With the money saved by not having to drive as far, people also have more disposable income and normal people can afford to walk down to their local cafe and buy a coffee before work, or take their beloved out for dinner after work.

Bookending a WFH day is also healthy for Work-Life balance.

[–] hanrahan@slrpnk.net 0 points 52 minutes ago

afford to walk down to their local cafe and buy a coffee

i see you haven't visited Australia vast shithole suburbs recently ? endless tracts of ticky tacky houses packed in and no facilities ?

an anecdote, we used to live across the road from a massive shopping center, in a 15 story building, 4 towers. You could walk on footpaths, one proper pedestrian crossing and be there. Endless cafes etc and I'd estimate 70% of people from our complex drove. Would have been hilarious if it wasn't sickening :(

[–] Zagorath@aussie.zone 10 points 1 day ago

You'd think it's obvious, but every time any government or council tries to do something to improve public transport options or bike paths, both of which also take cars of the road and make it easier for drivers, people come from all over to complain about how they have to drive and therefore it's a bad idea!