Convincing Canadians to adopt more taxes and higher fees is an almost impossible endeavor. Government officials and politicians are unlikely to propose a plan that involves citizens giving more of their income to the government.
Unfortunately for Canadians, it might be time to adopt toll roads. By installing tollbooths along the roads of major cities, drivers will be forced to consider how long their commute is. They may respond by choosing to live closer to work or elect to travel during off-peak hours. Despite criticisms to the contrary, Canada should install tollbooths in their major cities.
Benefits of Tollbooths
Cities have always had to figure out ways to use limited resources. Although drivers often pay taxes or licensing fees to drive there is no direct correlation between the amount they drive and the cost. Drivers do not pay for the additional road usage so there are higher pollution levels, more traffic and the roads wear out sooner. With a tollbooth or congestion charge, motorists have to rethink the amount of driving they do each day. In some cases, motorists will choose to take advantage of public transportation or car pool. One side benefit of the new charges is that public transportation will become more affordable as more people use it.
Another convenient aspect of tollbooths is that they can charge higher costs during peak hours. This forces drivers to rearrange their commute if they are able to. These drivers will then pay a lower fee and rush hour will become less hectic.
The English Example
Around the world, many cities are choosing to adopt tollbooths as a way to lessen rush hour congestion. Instead of having to build larger roads, these cities are able to adjust the time people choose to commute by charging more during peak hours.
In central London, motorists have to pay a congestion charge during the weekdays. After the first day of the congestion charge there were 190,000 vehicles less than normal during peak hours. Half of the decrease was attributed to people taking public transportation while 25 percent of the switch was attributed to carpooling. Overall, the daily commute was reduced by 14 percent on average. This new system of charging motorists during peak hours ensured that there was less congestion, reduced pollution levels and an increase in public transportation usage.
Downsides to Tollbooths
In many areas tollbooths are ineffective because it is too easy to go around them. Pennsylvanian drivers have figured out back roads that can take them from Pittsburgh to Erie without ever paying a toll. This places undue stress on service roads while making the larger toll roads inefficient. In some areas, it is impossible to go around a toll booth. Opponents to toll booths say that a toll in these areas is essentially a monopoly. Without the option of circumventing the toll booth, motorists are forced to pay a fee decided by a sole provider.
The argument for Canadian toll booths is based on the American model. In some cities of the United States, toll booths do help to control the flow of traffic. The question is: is this the most effective method? Many states in the United States charge a tax on gasoline. Although this does not encourage motorists to commute in off peak hours, it does encourage them to drive less. Better yet, it ensures that everyone pays the tax. Drivers cannot circumvent a gas tax like they can a toll booth.
Should Canada Get Toll Roads?
Most drivers in Canada currently have to drive in traffic for five work days every week. Half of all drivers are willing to pay some kind of toll or fee so they do not have to deal with the added congestion. Surveys of Canadian drivers also showed an increased willingness to travel on rapid transit or to telecommute to work. The government could choose to charge a higher gas tax, but that would not address the peak hour usage of the roadways. Using toll booths would enable motorists to have an easier commute and would limit the amount of pollution in Canada’s major cities.
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