Post by Teddy Bear on Mar 18, 2011 12:08:14 GMT
We actually assumed that the BBC staff were running up huge bills on taxis because the BBC mindset sees the licence fee as a trough that they can feed off however they see fit. It never occurred to me that the reason they don't use cheaper public transport is because they don't know how, and actually require courses instructing them about it.
Aren't you reassured that we really pay and get the best possible minds working there?
Aren't you reassured that we really pay and get the best possible minds working there?
BBC gives globe-trotting staff a lesson... on getting to work by BUS
By Paul Revoir
Last updated at 8:26 AM on 18th March 2011
The BBC is happy to dispatch staff to far-flung corners of the globe at the drop of a hat.
But it seems to have a little less faith in them finding their way to new offices in and around Manchester.
In a move that was yesterday greeted with incredulity, corporation bosses have organised training on transport to MediaCityUK in Salford.
Employees will learn which bus or tram they need to catch or how to find the base by car or bike.
The BBC is moving about 1,500 staff from London to Salford as it transfers its children’s and sports departments as well as Radio 5 Live and BBC Breakfast.
As part of its preparations bosses set up six sessions covering different aspects of getting to work, under the heading Transport to MediaCityUK Briefing Day.
The day includes talks on parking and cycle provision, the city’s Metrolink light rail service, help in how to buy tickets, information on bus services and individual journey planning sessions.
Critics have already attacked the ‘gold-plated’ relocation packages for staff moving from London. Workers are being offered up to £1,900 a month, for up to two years, for expenses including travel, rent and bills.
Those moving permanently can get a £3,000 allowance for carpets and curtains, as well as their stamp duty paid on a new home.
The BBC is ferrying members of its BBC North team to London next week to host some of the sessions, which take place on Tuesday. Other speakers from Manchester’s travel providers are also making the trip to give talks.
An email was sent to staff this week offering the chance to ‘find out more about how to get to MediaCityUK and transport around Greater Manchester’.
It offers a total of six different sessions on the issue starting at 10am and carrying on through to 3pm. One deals with cycling and parking provision while others centre on an ‘overview of transport in Greater Manchester’ and journey planning.
Conservative MP Philip Davies described the sessions as ‘absolutely ludicrous’.
He added: ‘They don’t seem to have much faith in their employees if they don’t think they could find their way in to work.’
A BBC spokesman said it wanted staff to have ‘the most relevant and up-to-date information’ to plan their travel. He added that the guest speakers were not paid.
The row came as TV comedian Charlie Higson hit out at the move to Salford. He told Broadcast magazine: ‘The whole thing is crazy, wasting all that time and effort doing stupid things like moving to Manchester just to try to please people, when actually they just need to continue making very good television and radio programmes.’
By Paul Revoir
Last updated at 8:26 AM on 18th March 2011
The BBC is happy to dispatch staff to far-flung corners of the globe at the drop of a hat.
But it seems to have a little less faith in them finding their way to new offices in and around Manchester.
In a move that was yesterday greeted with incredulity, corporation bosses have organised training on transport to MediaCityUK in Salford.
Employees will learn which bus or tram they need to catch or how to find the base by car or bike.
The BBC is moving about 1,500 staff from London to Salford as it transfers its children’s and sports departments as well as Radio 5 Live and BBC Breakfast.
As part of its preparations bosses set up six sessions covering different aspects of getting to work, under the heading Transport to MediaCityUK Briefing Day.
The day includes talks on parking and cycle provision, the city’s Metrolink light rail service, help in how to buy tickets, information on bus services and individual journey planning sessions.
Critics have already attacked the ‘gold-plated’ relocation packages for staff moving from London. Workers are being offered up to £1,900 a month, for up to two years, for expenses including travel, rent and bills.
Those moving permanently can get a £3,000 allowance for carpets and curtains, as well as their stamp duty paid on a new home.
The BBC is ferrying members of its BBC North team to London next week to host some of the sessions, which take place on Tuesday. Other speakers from Manchester’s travel providers are also making the trip to give talks.
An email was sent to staff this week offering the chance to ‘find out more about how to get to MediaCityUK and transport around Greater Manchester’.
It offers a total of six different sessions on the issue starting at 10am and carrying on through to 3pm. One deals with cycling and parking provision while others centre on an ‘overview of transport in Greater Manchester’ and journey planning.
Conservative MP Philip Davies described the sessions as ‘absolutely ludicrous’.
He added: ‘They don’t seem to have much faith in their employees if they don’t think they could find their way in to work.’
A BBC spokesman said it wanted staff to have ‘the most relevant and up-to-date information’ to plan their travel. He added that the guest speakers were not paid.
The row came as TV comedian Charlie Higson hit out at the move to Salford. He told Broadcast magazine: ‘The whole thing is crazy, wasting all that time and effort doing stupid things like moving to Manchester just to try to please people, when actually they just need to continue making very good television and radio programmes.’