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Any basic economics textbook can explain supply and demand and the marginal substitution that occurs as prices change. "...there's no price that will stop the
by baggy_trough 6y ago
Any basic economics textbook can explain supply and demand and the marginal substitution that occurs as prices change. "...there's no price that will stop the congestion" is simply wrong.
I already provided carpooling as an example of a behavior change that could occur in response to price increases which would reduce cars on the road while keeping the number of trips the same. There are many, many others.
I'm not sure why you think I advocate "taking away transit" - congestion pricing is one way to make transit more attractive, something it badly needs.
- Johnny555 6y agoI'm not sure why you think I advocate "taking away transit" Look back to where I joined this thread: Does America need to have better mass transit? I am not sure... Maybe improve personal vehicle is the way to go? If you're saying that mass transit coupled with congestion pricing can reduce congestion, I agree. I'm saying that if mass transit is ignored in favor of personal cars as transportation, then you can't use congestion pricing to get out of congestion, because people will have to drive, regardless of price. If you price driving so high that people literally can't afford to drive to meet basic needs, then it's no longer congestion pricing, it's rationing.
- baggy_trough 6y agoI was not part of the discussion in that part of the thread. I agree with the statement that "mass transit coupled with congestion pricing can reduce congestion". I disagree with the statement that "if mass transit is ignored in favor of personal cars as transportation, then you can't use congestion pricing to get out of congestion", for the reasons I've already stated. Saying that "people will have to drive, regardless of price" is indicative of being unfamiliar with the economic way of thinking about tradeoffs.