Friday 28 April 2006

New Auckland car tax voted for 'closer look'

Auckland City Council voted last night "for more research into charging motorists to use congested roads, but said it could not accept such a system without a greater regional share of fuel taxes." See the Herald's report for the full story of who was for and who against the proposed new car tax . Some strange bedfellows in some unusual positions.

If you want a one-sentence sumary of why Auckland's transport system isn't one, try this:
Transport committee chair Richard Simpson said the number of cars "eating" Auckland was insane.
"Insane" may be the very word to describe Mr Simpson. May I recommend Andrew Galambos to Mr Simpson:
A traffic jam is a collision between free enterprise and socialism. Free enterprise produces automobiles faster than socialism can build roads and road capacity.
LINKS: Council votes for closer look at tolling - NZ Herald
Charging cars to enter Auckland: A bad idea
- Not PC

TAGS: Auckland, Economics

2 comments:

Libertyscott said...

The problem is that it makes economic sense to charge more at congested times, but also LESS at off peak times - and council's couldn't run this if they tried, since there are several councils plus Transit. NONE of the options considered are optimal by a long shot, and the best technology was discounted by the less than fully competent consultant. By the way I'm about to call you about beer.

Bomber said...

Did you make a submission?