Comments on: Dutch pursue idea of cross-country road pricing http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2009/11/16/dutch-pursue-idea-of-cross-country-road-pricing/ Trends, happenings and innovations in the clean technology market Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:38:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Paul http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2009/11/16/dutch-pursue-idea-of-cross-country-road-pricing/comment-page-1/#comment-7971 Paul Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:19:35 +0000 http://www.cleanbreak.ca/?p=1881#comment-7971 I suspect that a congestion tax in a city like Toronto would backfire, at least in the long run. It would only encourage large businesses to re-locate to the outer suburbs where there is no viable public transit and everyone has to drive to work, to shop, to the park etc. How would this be helpful? The goal is to get people out of their cars, not out of the city. I suspect that a congestion tax in a city like Toronto would backfire, at least in the long run. It would only encourage large businesses to re-locate to the outer suburbs where there is no viable public transit and everyone has to drive to work, to shop, to the park etc. How would this be helpful? The goal is to get people out of their cars, not out of the city.

]]> By: Tom Konrad http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2009/11/16/dutch-pursue-idea-of-cross-country-road-pricing/comment-page-1/#comment-7934 Tom Konrad Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:18:13 +0000 http://www.cleanbreak.ca/?p=1881#comment-7934 Why couldn't Canada "embrace a cross-country charging scheme, given our immense size"? If the info is satellite based, I don't see why it would not work... although you would probably have to charge less per mile in rural areas. Why couldn’t Canada “embrace a cross-country charging scheme, given our immense size”? If the info is satellite based, I don’t see why it would not work… although you would probably have to charge less per mile in rural areas.

]]> By: Tyler http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2009/11/16/dutch-pursue-idea-of-cross-country-road-pricing/comment-page-1/#comment-7911 Tyler Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:38:40 +0000 http://www.cleanbreak.ca/?p=1881#comment-7911 We can't rely on the gas tax because of increased vehicle efficiency and the move to alternative fuels and electricity. Reduced gas consumption means we would have to dramatically raise the cost of the gas tax, and there would be no way of collective from electric-car drivers and biofuel-based vehicles that use the same roads and infrastructure. We can’t rely on the gas tax because of increased vehicle efficiency and the move to alternative fuels and electricity. Reduced gas consumption means we would have to dramatically raise the cost of the gas tax, and there would be no way of collective from electric-car drivers and biofuel-based vehicles that use the same roads and infrastructure.

]]> By: Remi http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2009/11/16/dutch-pursue-idea-of-cross-country-road-pricing/comment-page-1/#comment-7902 Remi Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:50:36 +0000 http://www.cleanbreak.ca/?p=1881#comment-7902 What about a gas tax? Wouldn't that be much simpler and encourage people to drive more efficient vehicles? What about a gas tax? Wouldn’t that be much simpler and encourage people to drive more efficient vehicles?

]]> By: Paul C from Austin http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2009/11/16/dutch-pursue-idea-of-cross-country-road-pricing/comment-page-1/#comment-7883 Paul C from Austin Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:38:23 +0000 http://www.cleanbreak.ca/?p=1881#comment-7883 Welcome back from New Mexico, Tyler;-) Not sure I agree with this one, of charging by the mile- it seems to me an unnecessarily complicated way to collect taxes. And I' m not sure it makes sense even to charge more of those who drive more. Everyone benefits from having a road system, and one that is kept in good repair- it is not just driving from point A to point B, but having roads for police and fire when you need it, for delivering the goods you want and need to stores. And sometimes those who drive more on the roads are not necessarily the ones who can afford it more- at least here, housing is less expensive the further out you live- but the tradeoff is a longer commute. But most of these same people would not be able to afford a place in town, or even desire one if they have a family. I'm not saying that those with vehicles should not pay at least some more- perhaps by upping the charges for the yearly registration, for the yearly inspections- even a tax on tires could be doable- but mostly, good roads are a benefit to everyone, and it seems like it would cost less if a simpler way to collect taxes for our roads was implemented- even if it meant a higher sales tax- at least this taxes those more who can afford to spend more. Welcome back from New Mexico, Tyler;-) Not sure I agree with this one, of charging by the mile- it seems to me an unnecessarily complicated way to collect taxes. And I’ m not sure it makes sense even to charge more of those who drive more. Everyone benefits from having a road system, and one that is kept in good repair- it is not just driving from point A to point B, but having roads for police and fire when you need it, for delivering the goods you want and need to stores. And sometimes those who drive more on the roads are not necessarily the ones who can afford it more- at least here, housing is less expensive the further out you live- but the tradeoff is a longer commute. But most of these same people would not be able to afford a place in town, or even desire one if they have a family.

I’m not saying that those with vehicles should not pay at least some more- perhaps by upping the charges for the yearly registration, for the yearly inspections- even a tax on tires could be doable- but mostly, good roads are a benefit to everyone, and it seems like it would cost less if a simpler way to collect taxes for our roads was implemented- even if it meant a higher sales tax- at least this taxes those more who can afford to spend more.

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