National’s Nanny Steven Joyce yesterday imposed himself on the taxi industry, introducing regulations requiring that all taxis, without exception, carry cameras. Economist Eric Crampton has rewritten NBR’s story on the new regulation to make clear the unspoken motivation behind this, and every other regulation.
Taxis in cities to get cameras less competition
NZPA | Tuesday August 10, 2010 - 01:02pm
Taxis in large towns and cities will be fitted out with security cameras from next year in an effort toimprove safetyrestrict entry by new cabs during periods of peak demand, Transport Minister Steven Joyce says.
The cost of installing and operating the cameras will fall with taxi companies and drivers., ensuring that large operators enjoy a differential advantage over small independent owner-operators and ensuring that jitneys fail to come into the market during the Rugby World Cup…
Read it all here, and reflect that this outcome is inherent in all regulation.
Still, good as it is, this sort of writing can be dangerous stuff. Eric warns, “You can't write satire anymore.”
2 comments:
PC
Listening to a music radio station last night, the DJ understood the implications of this. "Higher taxi fares after a night out on the town" he said. "This is stupid - thanks a lot!" he continued.
I have heard this type of comment before from people, especially following the introduction of the ETS which increased the cost of fuel.
But where are all those people voicing their opposition when the legislation is being drafted? Or why do these people vote for these low lifes that bring in further restrictions on our freedoms - or those freedoms of taxi drivers?
Great blog post by Eric. Very well done.
Julian
This cock-head Mr Joyce, is the ultimate nanny for this government.
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