I don't mind tolls. I mind traffic jams. Time is money (I'm an independent consultant, and my time on the highway is time not doint work for a client). Traffic jams cost me a lot more than tolls.
I say put tolls on the road to limit congestion. There's only a limited amount of highway space. In most cases, there are three lanes, and each lane can carry only a certain number of cars before there's a traffic jam. So to make tolls effective, the tolls have to vary by time of day. This way, you'll encourage people to drive at different times. In a sense, you put a market incentive in place to make people change their behavior. The government in effect rents out the highway, with different amounts for different times of day.
Movie theatres charges less for matinees. Why shouldn't highways be the same?
Don't expect a whole lot of FReepers to understand this concept, as simple as it is.
The responses so far on this thread are no doubt typical. We'd see similar comments over at DU, except they'd blame Bush or Elizabeth Dole. ("Toll Dole" -- can't you see it?)
As the number of people calling themselves conservatives increases, economic literacy seems to be declining almost in proportion.
Gasoline Tax Rates by State
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This way, you'll encourage people to drive at different times.
Why do you drive when there are traffic jams?
In a sense, you put a market incentive in place to make people change their behavior.
That always works. :)
The government in effect rents out the highway, with different amounts for different times of day.
Take the gov't out of it, then you'll have a free market solution.