4 ms·
The paper is long and I'm not sure where the economic magic happens but to be able to trade waiting time for money is truly a good thing for all. Sometimes I re
by softgrow 12y ago
The paper is long and I'm not sure where the economic magic happens but to be able to trade waiting time for money is truly a good thing for all. Sometimes I really am in a hurry and am willing to pay for it, other times not, but by not being able to pay I'm frustrated and all of us are poorer for it.
This of course assumes that the money I pay does not become a profit center - two examples -
- If I'm at Disneyland and I can pay to cut ahead in the queue this is only good if the money I pay goes to those in the queue who wait longer, if it doesn't then everyone is suddenly paying more for the same ride
- This ties in with the work on Shoup and parking pricing. If I'm wanting to park my car at the kerb in many cities I cannot pay as the parking is time limited and popular and parked out. The only way I can get a park is to spend ages searching for for a free bay. Alternatively if the parking is priced appropriately I can trade off the search time for money.
I did cringe a bit where the author worried about protecting the poor. This argument is often put, but if the "lexus lane" on one day makes the difference between keeping or losing your minimum wage job it is helping the poor. What is forgotten that the amazingly low value that wage earners place on their leisure time, typically $3-$8 per hour of leisure time really distorts the economics in ways you might not expect.
- rbaud 12y agoAustin is currently in the process of expanding one of its major roadways to include 2 new toll lanes. Drivers in a hurry can pony up a toll to skip traffic, but public buses can make use of the lanes as well. More info: http://www.texastribune.org/2013/11/29/in-austin-toll-lanes-may-boost-bus-service-riders/ http://www.texastribune.org/2013/11/29/in-austin-toll-lanes-...
- TheCoelacanth 12y agoBuses are what really punches a hole in the idea that these lanes hurt the poor. By letting buses skip traffic, they are actually more likely to help the poor.