12-18-2016, 10:12 PM
"I consider that a two-lane (single lane each direction) network of roads should be provided free, on the theory that some vehicle access is needed “everywhere”."
I've considered writing a response to this a couple of times, because I think there are a number of fundamental flaws with this approach/proposal.
But the one I'll go with, is that it treats everything from Northern Ontario to Downtown Toronto the same. A single lane road in a very high density area isn't really providing vehicle access because its going to be completely unusable. The level of service in those two places is completely different. So if we change your idea to be that some basic level of 'transportation' service should be provided to everyone, I'm totally for it. That covers the ability for people/goods/emergency services/etc. to move at least somewhat efficiently. In many places this means by car, but in some places it means by mass transportation.
And I think that's generally what we do (although, sure, far from perfectly). New road expansions are determined by at least somewhat objective measurements. There ARE usage fees for driving. The gas tax is still being paid and its still being paid by the people using roads the most. There are also usage fees for public transportation and some Government subsidies there too. I definitely agree that car drivers are on the 'privileged' side of the spectrum right now. But I also think things like saying there should never be "free parking", every multi-lane road should be tolled, etc. is going too far to the other side of the spectrum and kind of ignores that drivers already are paying something.
Also, and as a more general point and not really in response to the quote, I'd point out that the attitude that we should only pay for the things we ourselves directly use can make it hard to build a great society.
I've considered writing a response to this a couple of times, because I think there are a number of fundamental flaws with this approach/proposal.
But the one I'll go with, is that it treats everything from Northern Ontario to Downtown Toronto the same. A single lane road in a very high density area isn't really providing vehicle access because its going to be completely unusable. The level of service in those two places is completely different. So if we change your idea to be that some basic level of 'transportation' service should be provided to everyone, I'm totally for it. That covers the ability for people/goods/emergency services/etc. to move at least somewhat efficiently. In many places this means by car, but in some places it means by mass transportation.
And I think that's generally what we do (although, sure, far from perfectly). New road expansions are determined by at least somewhat objective measurements. There ARE usage fees for driving. The gas tax is still being paid and its still being paid by the people using roads the most. There are also usage fees for public transportation and some Government subsidies there too. I definitely agree that car drivers are on the 'privileged' side of the spectrum right now. But I also think things like saying there should never be "free parking", every multi-lane road should be tolled, etc. is going too far to the other side of the spectrum and kind of ignores that drivers already are paying something.
Also, and as a more general point and not really in response to the quote, I'd point out that the attitude that we should only pay for the things we ourselves directly use can make it hard to build a great society.