03-04-2018, 04:25 PM
(03-04-2018, 01:03 PM)danbrotherston Wrote: All of this mileage you're putting down has real actual costs to you as well. The real cost to you for depreciation, maintenance, and fuel is going to be at least 30 cents / km. This is a real money that you're paying every time you go drive a km. The result is going somewhere just 100 kms away would cost you around 30 dollars. Obviously this depends on your vehicle, driving habits, etc. but it is real money out of your pocket.
Are you telling me that now I've pointed this out too you, you're going to stop volunteering? Or is a mileage charge on top of that just too much? Or is it something about it being a bill from the government that causes your volunteering to dry up?
Unsure where you get "at least 30¢/km". It varies greatly between cars/trucks/suv's, etc. A new SUV, for example, is probably going to be more than 30¢/km. Someone buying a used Honda Civic it might be close to 10¢/km.
That said, for those that do a lot of volunteer work (and I am one of them), it will change the way we do things. I don't know if anyone can actually cost out the 'real' charges that any particular vehicle should be charged, but say if it's 20¢/km and someone does 100km driving for their volunteering, that's about $87/month in additional fee's. And it's unlikely they'll save $87 in property/income tax to offset.
Again, though, I'm ok with this. Just make sure EVERY SINGLE VEHICLE pays their share. Doesn't matter if it's fire services or garbage services or school busses. No subsidy for anyone. Same goes for transit, no subsidy. Hopefully ridership goes up enough to make it worthwhile. Though as it stands, I can take my kids to a Toronto Blue Jays game for about $40 in transportation costs, $20 for gas, $20 for parking. That compares to about $85 for GRT to GO station, and GO Train to Union Station and back (Group pass because it 2/3 the cost).
No easy solutions. I was actually surprised that with the highway between Kitchener and Guelph wasn't tolled...and I am surprised they don't extend it out to Milton. That seemed simple to me. You want the old cruddy highway 7, go for it. Or pay for the beautiful 407 ETR to Guelph and Milton and beyond...yep..and I would use it. Maybe 3 or 4 times a year. Time is money, money is time, but hopefully you'll have more time before the money ends, to spend with the loved ones. Missed opportunity.
Tolling the rest of the roads..just a poor idea...at least for now.