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Totally agree. Helps to point out how much we've been subsidizing personal auto use - mainly by not charging user fees enough to cover all costs of driving.

awjr 11y ago
That's the thing. In the UK the cost to the NHS (UK Free Healthcare) is not costed into the price people pay at the fuel pump. I believe revenue from Car Tax/Fuel/VAT is about £48 billion, however the cost to the country is calculated at about £70 billion.
- jedrek 11y ago
  + 28 billion quid spent on roads.
- dalke 11y ago
  The calculation isn't so simple. The use of cars may enable additional business. If that leads to an additional £50 billion in tax revenue, then it would be worthwhile, from a bookkeeping perspective.
  - rsfern 11y ago
    On the other hand, more pedestrian traffic also may enable additional business, as people are more likely to wander in and out of shops, and they aren't competing for limited parking availability.
    - awjr 11y ago
      Cycle Lanes have a similar impact. Cars go from A to B. Walking/Cycling goes via A to B via CDEF. Some studies have shown significant (150%) increases in business when they have been introduced.
  - meatysnapper 11y ago
    What about the pollution, road maintenance, time spent commuting, and accidents? I think you are making a similar argument to taxpayers footing the bill for stadiums.
    - dalke 11y ago
      I wasn't being complete, only saying that it's not a simple calculation.
  - celticninja 11y ago
    Only on the basis that if cars were banned that commerce would not take place, which is unlikely.
    - dalke 11y ago
      Strictly speaking, that is not true, as Venice and Mackinaw Island demonstrate.
      - celticninja 11y ago
        That was my point. If there are no cars people find other ways to do business.
        dalke 11y ago
        Ahh, I read 'which is unlikely' as referring to 'cars were banned' not 'commerce would not take place'. My apologies.
willyk 11y ago
If you're interested in more discussion on this, Robin Chase, founder of ZipCar, often comments on the actual/total cost of operating a car
- andys627 11y ago
  AAA puts it around $10k/yr for USA
  - deleted 11y ago
    [deleted]

awjr 11y ago

That's the thing. In the UK the cost to the NHS (UK Free Healthcare) is not costed into the price people pay at the fuel pump. I believe revenue from Car Tax/Fuel/VAT is about £48 billion, however the cost to the country is calculated at about £70 billion.

jedrek 11y ago
+ 28 billion quid spent on roads.
dalke 11y ago
The calculation isn't so simple. The use of cars may enable additional business. If that leads to an additional £50 billion in tax revenue, then it would be worthwhile, from a bookkeeping perspective.
- rsfern 11y ago
  On the other hand, more pedestrian traffic also may enable additional business, as people are more likely to wander in and out of shops, and they aren't competing for limited parking availability.
  - awjr 11y ago
    Cycle Lanes have a similar impact. Cars go from A to B. Walking/Cycling goes via A to B via CDEF. Some studies have shown significant (150%) increases in business when they have been introduced.
- meatysnapper 11y ago
  What about the pollution, road maintenance, time spent commuting, and accidents? I think you are making a similar argument to taxpayers footing the bill for stadiums.
  - dalke 11y ago
    I wasn't being complete, only saying that it's not a simple calculation.
- celticninja 11y ago
  Only on the basis that if cars were banned that commerce would not take place, which is unlikely.
  - dalke 11y ago
    Strictly speaking, that is not true, as Venice and Mackinaw Island demonstrate.
    - celticninja 11y ago
      That was my point. If there are no cars people find other ways to do business.
      - dalke 11y ago
        Ahh, I read 'which is unlikely' as referring to 'cars were banned' not 'commerce would not take place'. My apologies.

willyk 11y ago

If you're interested in more discussion on this, Robin Chase, founder of ZipCar, often comments on the actual/total cost of operating a car

andys627 11y ago
AAA puts it around $10k/yr for USA
- deleted 11y ago
  [deleted]