Isn congestion pricing “double taxation”?
Some argue that congestion tolls constitute a double tax because revenue from motor fuel taxes, other user fees, and general taxes have already paid for the costs of constructing roads. However, congestion tolls pay for a different set of costs, namely the economic costs of delay, pollution, and lost productivity due to congestion. The delays that vehicles impose on one another on congested highways temporarily balance demand and supply but only by deterring travelers (and shipments) whose time may be more valuable, while wasting large amounts of others’ time. In addition, according to a 2005 study by the Ontario College of Family Physicians, congestion has significant health consequences. These include arthritis, asthma, back pain, high blood pressure, increased frequency of illness, headaches, stress, road rage, absenteeism, reduced job satisfaction, and overall life satisfaction. Despite the magnitude of these costs imposed on others by rush-hour vehicle users, they are currently no
