Lawrence Solomon: Good tolls, bad tolls

Financial Post ^ | November 28, 2008 | Lawrence Solomon

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

The Greater Toronto Area needs a gazillion dollars to fund Metrolinx, a mega mega transportation system of light rail, commuter trains, subways, highways, roads, and bicycle paths designed to reach every ward in an 8,000 square kilometre operating region approaching six million people. It will cost more than governments can afford, say its government backers.

The answer, the backers say, is a toll road system that extends across the GTA and finances the transit megaproject.

I have a better idea. Install the GTA-wide toll road system and scrap Metrolinx. Once roads are tolled, the population growth that is now projected for Toronto’s environs — the main driver for Metrolinx — will plummet, along with the need for new transit infrastructure.The monies raised in tolls from the GTA’s more stable population can then be returned to GTA residents — the owners of the roads — through lower property taxes, lower gas taxes and lower vehicle registration fees.

Toll road systems work, as proven in numerous jurisdictions around the world. They reduce or eliminate traffic congestion which in turn lowers travel times, which in turn lowers the cost of taking a cab or of running a bus, which in turn increases these vehicles market share, which in turn increases their financial viability, which in turn helps taxi, bus, subway and streetcar systems expand, which in turn lets public transit provide better service, which in turn makes people less dependent on cars.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

PING!

[fanfan]

Thanks for the ping, Tolerance Sucks Rocks.

[org.whodat]

The monies raised in tolls from the GTA’s more stable population can then be returned to GTA residents — the owners of the roads — through lower property taxes, lower gas taxes and lower vehicle registration fees.

Now that is a crock, let them raise more taxes and they will find a way to spend it, there will not be any lowering of spit.

[Don W]

I’m with you. Not only that, but charging the residents of a city to use the roads they already have paid for is unethical at the least.