We have a lot of evidence that venture capital-subsidized transportation network companies are cannibalizing transit and driving up VMT. Now a new study of this phenomenon examines the patterns of TNC trip making and suggests a system of taxes and subsidies in response. The paper, which employs data from a 2016 personal transportation survey, finds that TNC trips that could reasonably be taken on transit tend to occur during peak hours and for non-work trip purposes. Given policy concerns for maintaining transit ridership and reducing auto congestion and emissions, the authors suggest penalizing these TNC trips with higher fees.
fees
Chicago to use TNC fees to improve 'L' service
Chicago was the first U.S. jurisdiction to collect a per-ride charge from ride-hailing passengers. Now, Chicago and its transit authority are earmarking a recent increase in the fee to fund transit improvements, and they have announced the specific locations of the projects. Other cities and states are also trying out these fees and taxes, but their application is not yet an exact science.
Offsetting loss of public transit revenue due to ride-hailing services
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is proposing an increase in the city’s fee charged to ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft to offset the loss of revenue from public transit users who switched to ride-hailing services. This additional revenue, to be used specifically for mass transit, will add to the $59.6 million generated in 2016 as a result of the fee.
Offsetting loss of public transit revenue due to ride-hailing services
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is proposing an increase in the city’s fee charged to ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft to offset the loss of revenue from public transit users who switched to ride-hailing services. This additional revenue, to be used specifically for mass transit, will add to the $59.6 million generated in 2016 as a result of the fee.
California’s new fee on hazardous railroad shipments being challenged by railroads
California’s new fee on rail deliveries of certain hazardous chemicals, including crude oil, is being challenged in federal court. The new state regulation, set to take effect this year, requires railroad companies to collect a $45 fee from their customers for each rail car carrying any one of 25 hazardous materials into the state. The funds are to help the state pay for improvements to its emergency response capabilities so it can better respond to spills resulting from train derailments.
Oregon user-fee launches July 1 with three program options
The first program to charge a per-mile fee to drivers will launch July 1 in Oregon. Although beginning with only 5,000 volunteers, the program will continue to expand as an alternative to reliance on the gas tax. Three payment and processing options have been authorized for participants.
North Carolina seeks to recoup costs of services to developers
The 2014 North Carolina budget bill mandated recommendations for new fees to cover the cost of services at many state agencies. This effort was supported by the DOT, and they have now released a proposed list of fees for services provided along state roads, possibly raising the cost of subdivisions, utility encroachments, billboards, and driveways.
Roads buckling under the weight of the shale gas industry
Although hydraulic fracturing has meant jobs and business development for some economically hard-hit areas, the rural roads in those areas are taking a beating because of the many heavy trucks required to carry sand, water, and equipemnt. Maintenance costs to rebuild the roads can reach the tens or even hundreds or millions of dollars. Now some states are trying to assure that the companies causing the damage will also help with the cost of repairs.