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I think the point is that if they had to do those things every time they used a road it would be more obvious (like buying a train ticket).
by usefulcat 2y ago
I think the point is that if they had to do those things every time they used a road it would be more obvious (like buying a train ticket).
- komali2 2y agoThey do have to do it every time, through the fuel tax. Driving costs fuel. I guess people just don't think of it though.
- chii 2y agoit's not a subsidy if it's a user-pays system. A subsidy is only a subsidy if users don't necessarily pay the full cost, and the rest is borne by some other group of people who _don't_ use the service.
- geysersam 2y agoOne issue is that people often benefit from infrastructure without explicitly using it. Example, road network isn't paid by car owners. But non-drivers clearly benefit from the road network, is the road network subsidized? Other example, people who rarely take the train still benefit from rail infrastructure (freight, reduced congestion etc). Is the rail network subsidized?
- komali2 2y agoOh to clarify on that point, the majority of roadwork is paid for by property taxes in I believe everywhere in the USA. Certainly in Texas.