Sharing the ride on NC transportation costs
Published October 13, 2014
by Charles Hodges, NC Go, published in News and Observer, October 12, 2014.
Gov. Pat McCrory’s 25-year transportation plan gives an in-depth view of the challenges and opportunities North Carolina’s network faces, from the mountains to the coast. It will require more than a strong sell to convey the broad transportation funding reform required in our state. Residents and our elected leaders need to better understand why we face this dilemma, and the fact we are all part of solving this problem.
Unfortunately, few residents recognize the effect of the transportation system on economic development, safety, job creation and our basic quality of life. Nor do they understand how our state actually compares with others in how we all pay for this system or how much. We are hung up on the fact that our gas tax is higher than neighboring states. There’s little recognition about how costly, long and difficult it is to build transportation infrastructure. We can’t decide congestion is too bad one year and have a new road, lanes or bridge the next. And we can’t wait to find the dollars needed to address transportation needs.
The governor’s plan identifies between $94 billion and $123 billion in needs by 2040. The gas tax – our current largest source of transportation funding – isn’t sustainable. Over the next 10 years, our state will generate about $2 billion less in transportation revenue because of declining gas tax dollars. That’s due to increased vehicle fuel efficiency. Every year we pay slightly less to drive the same mile of road. This means we also contribute less, per mile, to maintain the roads and bridges we use.
People contend they shouldn’t be penalized for better fuel efficiency, but that has nothing to do with it. Drivers with higher fuel efficiency cars already save by paying less overall for fuel. They still consume the same mile of road, whether in an SUV, hybrid or electric car.
As for how we pay, and how much we pay compared with other states, this is a key misperception. It’s important to acknowledge that unlike most states where counties or cities maintain (and pay for) roads, we rely mostly on state dollars to maintain and expand our transportation system. In fact, we have the second-largest state-maintained system – more than 80,000 miles. Only Texas is larger.
This is important because the primary way North Carolinians pay for their use of the transportation system is through the gas tax. In other states, where counties and cities collect revenue as well, there are local fees, sales taxes, property taxes, tolls and other fees and taxes on top of their gas tax. According to the Federal Highway Administration, when the total costs are compared, we pay $510 per capita versus the national average of $657. We just don’t have a laundry list of local taxes and fees in lieu of our “high” gas tax.
So, given the declining sustainability, growing population, aging roads and bridges and well-documented transportation needs, how do we solve the problem? Everyone benefits from the transportation network. We all get goods, services, food and more that must come by truck, rail or plane. Even folks who don’t drive use the transportation network. And a good system helps attract new industries, distribution and logistics hubs and jobs. Because of this, some revenue component must apply to everyone.
The bottom line: Everyone must share in the burden of improving our transportation system. We can’t say “no tolls,” or “no more gas tax,” or “no sales tax” and still raise the funds needed. Failure to act is a disservice to the next generation. Failing to act means safe roads aren’t a priority in our state. Failing to act means that we think status quo – more congestion, less connectivity to rural areas and missing out on economic opportunities – is a good plan.
McCrory’s visionary plan should be embraced, and now’s the time for visionary thinking about how to fund this transportation system.
Charles Hodges is executive director of NC Go!
October 13, 2014 at 9:21 am
Norm Kelly says:
Every resident in the state benefits from good roads and acceptable transportation. It's well known that good infrastructure is good for the state economy. It is important that we maintain what we have and plan/build for an effective future. What we don't need are more politicians making decisions for political purposes. I seem to recall a short stretch of road being built in the Raleigh area so that it would be easier for NCState major donors/ticket holders to get to sporting events. This is foolish and should be illegal. For those elitists who want special treatment, they should pay for it. After all, if they are connected or wealthy enough to acquire special seating at sporting events, they are wealthy enough to pay for the special/private road for themselves to use. Let the user pay for special treatment.
As for transportation for everyone else, it's critical that everyone else pay for transportation needs. It's time for special treatment, as is normal when demons control politics, to end. It's time that special deals common to demon pols stop being put in place. It's time that every user of transportation pay for transportation. This means that those who drive extremely fuel efficient automobiles must pay somehow. If you drive an all electric vehicle, then you should pay a special tax to cover the cost of your use of the road system. If you ride the bus or some other form of mass transit, the system MUST find a way for you to pay as well. Just because a bus runs on the roads, does not mean that less road use happens. So, instead of taxpayers subsidizing mass transit as well as paying for infrastructure, it's time mass transit users pay 'their fair share'. How's that? Stuff the lib talking point right back in their pitiful faces! The tax payers of the state can NOT continue to pay for infrastructure as well as paying for mass transit users to ride at less than cost. Yes, we want to encourage as many people as can take advantage of it to use mass transit. This does save the average consumer some money. But I can NOT afford to pay for my transportation AND YOURS if you use mass transit. And the worst idea for mass transit is promoted highly by the id10t mayor of Raleigh. He has a vested interest in regional rail, but for some reason this is not considered a conflict of interest (it couldn't possibly have anything to do with him being a good demon pol, could it?). Putting in regional rail is outrageously expensive. And it CAN'T BE MOVED if residential building doesn't follow the same path as the rail. Or if businesses don't move to the regional rail area. However, buses can easily be moved. Bus routes can be changed with relatively little effort. So if residences aren't on the current bus route, the bus route can be changed to accommodate the actual users. Not so with regional rail. So the Raleigh mayor (ex-mayor i believe) MUST be ignored; his plans MUST be allowed to go away without consideration. Just because he & his company will benefit does NOT mean it's a good plan or should even be considered. Didn't Forest Gump say 'stupid is as stupid does'? It definitely applies in the case of regional rail and the ex-mayor.
When you USE the infrastructure, YOU must pay for it. I am self-employed. I travel to my client locations to work. I have no CHOICE but to drive MY vehicle to these locations. I have no choice but to pay whatever the gas tax is. But I should have a choice as to whether I pay for YOUR transportation while you ride free. This is highway robbery and should be made illegal. Perhaps if our legislature stays in the hands of conservatives/Republicans, we can come up with a common sense solution that ALLOWS every user to pay for transportation. It's for sure if the demons take over again that some will pay even more while the chosen ones are allowed to use transportation at no cost. Those rascally demons may even find a way for those who use mass transit to get a rebate check from us taxpayers. It's almost certain the demons will come up with some way to penalize me while rewarding those who 'do their part' to support mass transit and the environment. Not only do some areas offer bus rides AT NO COST but those darn demons will next start offering for the bus driver to PAY USERS for getting on the bus! I suggest we don't try letting the demons back in power to see how exactly they do this. We are all better off if they are NOT given the opportunity. (doubt me? why? demons are so predictable. remember they want to transport some kids to school during summer break - or any break - so the school system can provide lunch or breakfast or both! those who feed their kids will be paying for the transportation as well as for the food! so don't doubt me on how demons take from some to give to the chosen ones!)
