248 replies to this topic

[Matt R.]

My ferry fare is also subsidized by the general tax payer, as we do with many things here in Canada.

This is the same argument as people who don’t have kids use when they complain about school taxes etc.

It’s not like ferries are serving private islands.

[Mike K.]

Wonder what the ferry fare would actually be.

I’m fine with road tolls btw, if we actually get better roads.

 

You shouldn't be, you already pay so much in gas taxes for roads. Paying tolls in addition is an insult, to be honest.

 

At some point society has to send a message and stop the largesse.

[Ismo07]

 

 

You shouldn't be, you already pay so much in gas taxes for roads. Paying tolls in addition is an insult, to be honest.

 

At some point society has to send a message and stop the largesse.

 

 

Milking it till the end...  Then going after your oil and hydro...  Even chopped wood...  Gas taxes will be eliminated once you only have an EV

Edited by Ismo07, 01 November 2024 - 01:18 PM.

[Matt R.]

You shouldn't be, you already pay so much in gas taxes for roads. Paying tolls in addition is an insult, to be honest.

At some point society has to send a message and stop the largesse.

I’d be ok with a reduction in taxes to balance out as well.

[Ismo07]

I’d be ok with a reduction in taxes to balance out as well.

 

Are taxes subsidized shorter ferry routes or are the bigger routes doing it?

[Matt R.]

Both.

[Ismo07]

Both.

 

I wasn't aware, thought BC Ferries carried their own water for the most part, at least operating expenses.

Edited by Ismo07, 01 November 2024 - 01:50 PM.

[Matt R.]

They get regular cash injections I think.

[GaryOak]

Add another lane in each direction but make it a payed express and bus lane, And adjust the prices so it's never backed up.

[Mike K.]

That works in a place like Chicago, with seven million people.

I don’t think Vancouver even punishes its residents as much as we love to punish ours. I sometimes think we’re North America’s most anti-ourselves region, doing all we can to clip our own wings, over and over and over. We think reducing roadways is the path to prosperity. Reducing developable land the path to home affordability. High taxes the path to personal financial stability.

It’s bonkers.

[LJ]

That’s what the gas tax is, by design. You pay, wherever you drive. The more you drive, the more you pay. The bigger your vehicle, that more you pay. It’s an equitable system, but the problem is, road taxes that are being paid are not going towards improving roads. And then you hear people say drivers don’t pay enough anyway, for their roads, so shouldn’t expect more road funding. It’s a dirty trick that’s being played.

BC Transit gets you to pay a bus fare with every tank you fill, or thereabouts, too.

But Mike, those damn EV drivers are using our roads for free, toll the bast*rds.

[Mike K.]

Their turn will come. They’re still just a blip on the radar, and the amount of tires they go through makes me feel bad for them. Plus the charging infrastructure. Matt, what’s it costing you to install a charger?

In all seriousness, the weight of those vehicles is much more damaging to our roads than comparable ICE cars. It’s going to be a problem.

[Contractorguy]

I say strip out the road tax from gasoline and charge tolls.  High gasoline prices and taxes punish businesses who compete on the world stage

 

Same with PST, it should be a value added tax just like the GST, but that is a different subject

[Mike K.]

What’s the difference between tolls at the pump and tolls on the road?

[Matt R.]

Their turn will come. They’re still just a blip on the radar, and the amount of tires they go through makes me feel bad for them. Plus the charging infrastructure. Matt, what’s it costing you to install a charger?

In all seriousness, the weight of those vehicles is much more damaging to our roads than comparable ICE cars. It’s going to be a problem.

Charger was cheap, under a grand, but we had to cannibalize a circuit. Now we want that circuit back, looking at nine grand.

ETA: Mike is looking for a gotcha moment here I’m sure, but this isn’t that. We want (need) to recommission our downstairs suite so need to heavy up to 200. If that wasn’t the case we would just carry on. I think the charger was a couple grand to install but rebates took care of most of that. The hybrid Toyota has more than paid for it in fuel savings in four years.

Edited by Matt R., 02 November 2024 - 07:51 PM.

[Mike K.]

It’s just real life. You want the charge an EV, and do whatever else? You pay.

[Contractorguy]

What’s the difference between tolls at the pump and tolls on the road?

EV's don't pay a dime

 

Not sure why a gas guzzling 1 ton truck should pay many times the taxes than a Honda Civic

 

According to google 6.75 cents/liter goes towards road infrastructure in BC (maybe that fluctuates depending on price, I don't know).  Not sure how much people burn on average but say its 200L/month that's $13.50/month which is peanuts

[Mike K.]

See how the governments fleece motorists? They charge motorists around 50 cents per litre in what motorists expect to be road taxes, but it turns out, only a fraction of that amount goes to roads, so then Ismo tells us motorists don't pay enough for the roads they drive on.

 

Clown world. 

[Ismo07]

See how the governments fleece motorists? They charge motorists around 50 cents per litre in what motorists expect to be road taxes, but it turns out, only a fraction of that amount goes to roads, so then Ismo tells us motorists don't pay enough for the roads they drive on.

 

Clown world. 

 

Thinking that it's a road tax is the first issue.  Most people don't know why gas is so expensive..  Pay more Mike, pay more.  You moved further out cause it was less expensive, now complaints about using more fuel, busy roads and longer bus rides.  You get what you vote (pay) for....

[Mike K.]

I have never complained about using more fuel. Show me one instance where I have. Once again Ismo is putting words in someone’s mouth.

I do raise an issue, when you tell us drivers don’t pay enough in road taxes, to cover the costs of road maintenance and new roads, when drivers pay nearly 10x more in road taxes than what goes into maintaining and building roads. Where is the rest of the money going, Ismo?

Also, you are mistaken, if you think people choose to live where they do based only on finances. That’s a very narrow minded point of view.