Comments on: Why a Congestion Tax should be Blocked

By: rickety

rickety — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:45:59 +0000

David,

I can see where I was mistaken about the price of gas not curtailing driving all that much (once I thought about it). The price of gas probably affects what we drive a lot more. For example, I have co-workers that have bought a natural gas powered car and ordered a Toyota Prius because of rising fuel costs. My wife, who rides FrontRunner, does so to avoid the congestion. And of course I bought a new car eight months ago and went for the V6 even though there were a lot more 4 cylinder sedans to choose from.
However, I am still opposed to a congestion tax as much as I am to toll roads and HOV lanes. Perhaps one solution would be to levy additionally gas taxes that would be mandated to be spent on encouraging telecommuting, which is where the focus should be in this information age. Thanks for your comments and the discussion on the subject.

By: David

David — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:23:27 +0000

I agree with all your suggestions, but on your five problems with congestion-pricing - I don't think that the price of gas has proven very good at curtailing driving, I do think that the 50% of rush hour trips claim is highly inflated, and my take on 3-5 can be found on my post on the subject (which you have already seen).

By: rickety

rickety — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:47:35 +0000

I agree, working from home is the best solution in my opinion. Like I always say – move the ones and zeros around and not the people.

By: Derek

Derek — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:41:38 +0000

Congestion pricing works if there are transportation alternatives. It encourages the use of alternatives. But one train along I-15 is not enough of an alternative. And Legacy Highway is a 5 year solution, meaning we will only see a difference for about 5 years, and it may not be a significant difference. Basically, I agree with you 100% in your solutions. Pricing should affect employers, because it is at their mandate that employees commute.

Satellite offices is more along the lines of what I would suggest. It is in the design of our cities that we are failing. Our suburb lifestyle is nice, housing is generally less expense there, and we feel better about our neighbors. But all in all, we should create communities that exist of places to live, work, and play. Satellite offices is exactly what we’re talking about. And if that satellite office just happens to be in my home, even better!

Great post.