Productivity Commission Infrastructure DRAFT report

[#Metro]

The productivity commission is an independent commonwealth agency assessing the economics, finance and social aspects of policy. It's latest report, released today, is about infrastructure and discusses road user charges.

Road user charges or tolling is perhaps the single most effective way to reduce traffic congestion. It has been proven not once but twice in Brisbane with the tunnels, to be extraordinarily effective. During the free periods, both Clem 7 and AirportLink had high traffic volumes and these suddenly and drastically PLUMMETED when a toll was introduced and the free period expired.

A toll of $1 capped at $2 per day max (absolute total) would probably be more than sufficient for drastic reductions in Brisbane traffic congestion IMHO. The cost of constructing a toll gantry would be dirt cheap compared to mega projects like Kingsford Smith Drive, people who need concessions could register for a lower rate or exemption by supplying details of their concession card at the time of signing up to an account and the whole operational side (i.e. call centre, account management, camera searches etc) could be outsourced to an existing operator from BCC to a company like Queensland Motorways or something similar, which would save the costs of starting from scratch (i.e. building a new call centre, training staff etc)

[#Metro]

Website link ----> http://pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/infrastructure/draft

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Tony Abbott rejects pay per kilometre driving tax

LOL  Abbott will not be around long enough to really matter.  Transport collapse will eventually see commonsense solutions implemented ...

What will force the paradigm change, besides the crippling congestion chaos, will be the fact that many vehicles will not use petrol and other oil fuels.  No excise ..