I guess I look at this and think instead of having the government change the law so the council could implement this, why not take a bit from everyone (problem causers as well as uses of PT who benefit from better PT) as higher rates? It seems like a simpler approach?

I’ve been stuck in traffic for ages, then look beside me and see a bus stop that didn’t get finished (Rosedale road for anyone around) because it got bumped for budget.

Did the fuel tax help?

[–] Rangelus 3 points 9 months ago (4 children)

Higher rates affects only people living in Auckland, but fuel tax can get people visiting as well. Plus, I would suspect the thinking was if you can't afford the fuel tax you can take a bus. Obviously the reality is different, but that was probably the intention.

If you listened to the Wayne Brown, there was hundreds of millions of dollars already allocated for roading and transport projects. It hand't all been spent yet because contracts had been signed but work hadn't started yet. As he said, all removing the regional fuel tax does is get rid of these projects, because he will not raise rates.

Full disclosure, this is the very first time I've agreed with anything he's said.

The other option is, of course, road tolls. His argument was this is a tool to reduce congestion (I find this dubious, but regardless), not to generate revenue for the council. And I'll be honest, I find little difference between a fuel tax and a road toll - both are regressive taxes and affect lower income earners more.

In my opinion, the central government needs to step in across the country and fund the shit out of infrastructure upgrades. 3 waters, but for roads and rail as well.

[–] Ilovethebomb 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Plus, I would suspect the thinking was if you can't afford the fuel tax you can take a bus.

People just forget the trades exist, don't they?

[–] Rangelus 2 points 9 months ago

They really don't. And I'd point out, heavy trade vehicles will do more damage to roads than a light hatch back.

Plus, more public transport means fewer cars on the road for tradies. Win-win!

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