Gas tax beats tolls

Increase in auto licence fees does nothing for environment

Re: Forget bridge tolls, Letters, March 21

I believe Jill Ewart was right on when she advocated that we forget bridge tolls.

The advent of technology, the decal system used by Treo, has most of us thinking tolling is costing next to nothing. In fact tolling is the largest operating expense for Treo, comprising around 15 per cent of revenue. This equates to around 45 cents for each crossing of the Port Mann Bridge.

The provincial government must come up with a simpler, more cost-effective way. Victoria is shirking its responsibility, hoping the federal government or resource revenues will avoid the need for consumer taxes. This should not be a popularity contest.

Jill suggests we increase auto licence fees. With three million vehicles registered in B.C., an increase of $85 would raise $250 million.

But increasing the auto licence fee means a car only used on Sundays to go to church costs the same as the commuter from Chilliwack, and a hybrid and an SUV pay the same. This does nothing for the environment.

I believe a tax on gasoline is a preferred method. As the price of gasoline rises, two things happen: Some will take to rapid transit and others will obtain a smaller or more efficient vehicle.

- DON ROBERTS North Vancouver