Should federal tolls replace federal gas tax? (calculate, buy, interest)

[70Ford]

You're probably wondering why I give a rip about tolls. Well, it's a slippery slope, people. That's why.

See this article?
Local News | Transportation chief says tolls should replace federal gas tax | Seattle Times Newspaper

Translation: as fuel efficiency inevitably increases and consumption decreases, both as a result of higher fuel prices, tax revenue will go down.
Solution, make the people pay a "travel toll".

The government could just require a simple GPS device/transponder in each car to monitor it. Of course, using this device would make it possible for them to calculate your speed...and track you pretty much any where you go. (But they wouldn't do that....would they?)

Who knows...if you get from Point A to point B too fast...could you get a ticket in the mail? I think it's possible.

I guess if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear, eh?

E-ZPass, now with a higher price - The Red Tape Chronicles - MSNBC.com

I'm not sure...but I think it's easier to raise a "fee" than to raise a "tax"
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I wonder if this is the wave of the future. Think about it - you don't get much gas revenue from electric cars.

[Humanoid]

That is interesting, but it depends what replaces gas. Even if its electric cars you can start to tax the electricity. They will only have a problem if a car is created that can run off something that is essentially free (solar power etc).

At the very least they could simply charge you a tax when you register your car, but then some would get over taxed/under taxed.
Seems like there are a lot of other options that would be much easier to implement.

[KevK]

The gas tax should be raised. The fact is that heavier vehicles do far more damage to roads than lighter ones that use less gas do for the most part. People should be encouraged to buy more fuel stingy cars and not monster SUVs.

[Humanoid]

The gas tax should be raised.

That should have been done back when gas was cheap, it would be near impossible to do right now.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

It's a very appealing thought.

Another idea is to have a tax on registration of vehicles based on weight & gas milage. The heavier and/or poorer gas milage, the higher the tax to register and re-register your vehicle.

[70Ford]

Japan has a "road tax". It is based on engine size.

The following are the road tax rates for this year according to vehicle category:
- 500 yen for motorcycles and scooters below 125cc;
- 1,000 yen for motorcycles above 125cc;
- 3,000 yen for mini-cars with 40A or 50 plates;
- 7,500 yen for vehicles with 44Y, 55E, 56Y, 57Y, 58Y, 500Y or 400Y plates;
- 19,000 yen for vehicles with under 4.5 liter engines and an 33Y, 33E, 88Y, 300Y, 300E, 800Y or 800E plate;
- 22,000 yen for vehicles with a 4.5 engine or larger and an 33Y, 33E, 88Y, 300Y, 300E, 800Y or 800E plate;
- 32,000 yen for 11Y, 11E, 100Y or 100E plates.

Road Tax season returns

[lchoro]

Rights to revenue streams from tolls can also be sold to private firms. US public infrastructure can be sold out to foreign firms. Note also that the seller will have to guarantee the revenue stream by promising to limit improvements on competing roadways and mass transit. In the long run, there'll be more congestion.

[cdelena]

Originally Posted by BLAZER PROPHET

It's a very appealing thought.

Another idea is to have a tax on registration of vehicles based on weight & gas milage. The heavier and/or poorer gas milage, the higher the tax to register and re-register your vehicle.

That ignores the use of the vehicle. If one has a large capacity truck because they tow a boat several times a year and transport a church group but only drive 3000 miles a year why should they be penalized? They still use less fuel and produce less emissions than the average Prius.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Originally Posted by cdelena

That ignores the use of the vehicle. If one has a large capacity truck because they tow a boat several times a year and transport a church group but only drive 3000 miles a year why should they be penalized? They still use less fuel and produce less emissions than the average Prius.

I still don't have a problem with the idea. While I see your point, the fact remains 99%+ of those larger vehicles are driven daily. It's just the price we have to pay.

[Magnulus]

fee=tax. Taxes are how we pay for roads. In an ideal world, we'd raise the gas taxes.

What I don't like the idea of is a fee on vehicles that will invariably be disproportionate to their weight. In some states it already costs as much to use a toll road regardless if you are riding a 400 lb motorcycle or a 4000 pound SUV. Only in states like California do they give light vehicles a waiver on toll roads.