Auckland regional fuel tax looking to be scrapped
Look, we need the money and fuel is bloody expensive, but I believe we are adding another problem to the next generation and regressing further.
The tax sucks, but the benefits were worth it.
So people who live in Auckland pay rates, whether as owners or through rent that pays their landlord's rates. And the council gets the money from the fuel tax (I presume?), so it's just a different way of collecting rates.
So the benefit of the fuel tax is that people who come from outside Auckland pay for road use? Or is the benefit that it discourages car use and encourages public transport use?
What was the original justification behind the fuel tax?
TLDR - because its needed.
First of all, I believe car use should be discouraged so bit biased here. Just getting it out in the open.
The idea was that public transportation was (and still is) a massive issue in Auckland. Split by two harbours creating choke points, massive sprawl, complete lack of investment. Can't just keep adding more cars, more lanes, more delays. Why not take a bit from the individual problem causer and use it to greater a better long term solution?
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. I use a car for work where public transport isn't practical (10 sites a day with full kit) but when I do site visits for new clients the first thing I do is check for a bus.
Oh, and given up on trying to get a car parking in cbd - $14 for 30 minutes parking after 40 minute drive? Na, I'm good, id rather take a 30 minute bus trip and meet the wife for lunch.
Why not take a bit from the individual problem causer and use it to greater a better long term solution?
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?