General Road and Highway Discussion

[NotStan]

I got lost in the last couple pages in this thread about taxes and tolls and what-not with roads and provincial highways.  If you buy a new vehicle, you pay a tax.  Same with a used vehicle.  Fill up your gas tank you're taxed, whether it's a miser or a guzzler (more gas consumed = more tax paid).  Need to repair a part?  You pay tax on the part and most times the labor (unless you DIY, ).  Income tax, property tax, sales tax all go towards maintaining a standard of living in your municipality. 

So unless I'm renting an apartment, without a job, and not buying anything, I'd expect road maintenance to be covered in the taxes  paid.  Just like if I'm walking on the sidewalk or cycling in a park, the cost of maintaining that isn't free either.

The point is, since it's paid for by taxes, its subsidized.  Basically the general tax base (everybody) pays for those who drive.  Why not make those who drive pay.  Single occupant vehicle travel is an inherently inefficient method of travel, so why shouldn't it cost more.  It also results in substantial social and environmental costs, so why should we subsidize it so much?  Yes, there are some external benefits that apply to everybody (economic activity) but the majority of the costs are not incurred supporting goods movement, but instead supporting single occupant vehicle commuting.  So everybody, whether you drive or not, pay a whole lot of money so that those who wish to drive by themselves can continue to do so cheaply, despite the social and environmental costs.  It's terrible government policy.

I'm not sure its fair to say that there is just "some external benefits" that apply to everyone.  You could make everyone who drives pay but even people who don't drive benefit by having roads for ambulance, police, fire, utility and other services.   And even if you're not a driver, you will likely use commercial services requiring roads - to have large items like furniture delivered, etc.  The drivers of those vehicles could pay fees.   And out of fairness, if you are going to charge fees to drivers to cover the costs of roads then you should also charge users for the costs of sidewalks, trails, etc.    Given all this, I think its fair that the cost of roads come out of taxes, including gas taxes.