tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7093444.post115857325130146577..comments2023-06-17T14:00:38.335+02:00Comments on Veritas: What will become of the congestion tax?Michael A. Lowryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00162013062722940620noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7093444.post-1158657222586147012006-09-19T11:13:00.000+02:002006-09-19T11:13:00.000+02:00The goal with the congestion charge was to reduce ...<I>The goal with the congestion charge was to reduce the traffic in stockholm, and most of the cars are comming from the sourrounding communities, so from my horizon, asking them is like asking Mexico what they think of the border to US.</I><BR/><BR/>The environmental and health costs of having lots of cars in the city are hard to calculate; but certainly, these costs are paid predominately by Stockholmers. These problems must be tackled, but a tax on road usage isn't the right solution.<BR/><BR/>The congestion tax is a regressive tax that places an unreasonable financial burden on people for whom public transport is not an option. Many have no choice but to travel by road to or from Stockholm.<BR/><BR/>The financial burden is disproportionately levied on low-income workers, because the tax represents are larger proportion of their income. Well-to-do motorists can afford the tax; people who live on less money per month just don't have extra krona to spare.<BR/><BR/>Plus, vehicle registration fees and other taxes are meant to pay for the roads and highways. Citizens shouldn't have to pay twice for the same public service.<BR/><BR/>Finally, the so-called congestion tax has several unintended and detrimental consequences:<BR/>* many motorists take longer more circuitous routes to avoid paying the tax; this leads to more vehicles on smaller roads, and more pollution.<BR/>* motorists <I>leaving</I> Stockholm are also required to pay the tax, even though they are effectively reducing congestion in the city.<BR/>* people are discouraged from coming to the city -- this reduces business and therfore reduces tax revenues in the city.<BR/><BR/>Internal disagreement within the liberal bloc is appropriate and expected. The area of agreement between the four member parties is limited.<BR/><BR/>We shall see what becomes of this tax!Michael A. Lowryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00162013062722940620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7093444.post-1158647969832617162006-09-19T08:39:00.000+02:002006-09-19T08:39:00.000+02:00Well, at least the Aliiance were not disagreeing a...Well, at least the Aliiance were not disagreeing and infighting until <I>several hours</I> after the election. :)danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17644248195333771320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7093444.post-1158610965312802972006-09-18T22:22:00.000+02:002006-09-18T22:22:00.000+02:00The goal with the congestion charge was to reduce ...The goal with the congestion charge was to reduce the traffic in stockholm, and most of the cars are comming from the sourrounding communities, so from my horizon, asking them is like asking mexico what they think of the border to us..Tobbehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08523618457118641743noreply@blogger.com