Cost of gasoline, worldwide- Good thing we bike

[shootingstar]

Unless part of the gas price, is a tax that goes specifically for transit infrastructure development, etc.

Now, if a municipality had a supported plan in writing etc., would alot of drivers truly protest that one vs. lining the pockets of oil execs.?

[Blueberry]

Unless part of the gas price, is a tax that goes specifically for transit infrastructure development, etc.

It's supposed to. But our local and state governments are in budget trouble. That means that money goes from where it should to pay for other things that it wasn't designated for.

[shootingstar]

It's supposed to. But our local and state governments are in budget trouble. That means that money goes from where it should to pay for other things that it wasn't designated for.

Yea, that eternal problem.

The interesting thing in our area...is that now when city council debates, it isn't about whether or not we should have bike lanes, it's where and what type. A good thing and very different from 5 yrs. ago.

But still the same *****in' and complaining about lack of roads, which is not the case when a commute drive is only 45 min. from the furtherest edge of city into downtown core/vice versa. It's 60 min. for Vancouver and Toronto.

And Calgary is getting expanded light rapid transit rail, this very moment..they're being built right now. This is quite important in the city politics dynamic because we're in Canada's richest oil and energy jurisdiction. So anything to counteract the economic boom here that is due to the oil exploration,etc (which won't last), is good. Spend that money on mass transit..now. We need it because we're the fastest growing city in Canada.

[Blueberry]

Yea, that eternal problem.

The interesting thing in our area...is that now when city council debates, it isn't about whether or not we should have bike lanes, it's where and what type. A good thing and very different from 5 yrs. ago.

But still the same *****in' and complaining about lack of roads, which is not the case when a commute drive is only 45 min. from the furtherest edge of city into downtown core/vice versa. It's 60 min. for Vancouver and Toronto.

And Calgary is getting expanded light rapid transit this very moment..they're being built right now.

*sigh*

We're so far behind you in terms of that debate. Better than we were 10 years ago, but way behind.

[Koronin]

Good luck with hoping for better public transportation. As gas prices went up so did the cost of tickets for the public transportation system in Charlotte. They also have cut both routes and stops for their public transportation due to the higher cost of gas.

[bmccasland]

The price you pay at the pump is more than the cost of crude, refining, and transportation to your local station. It includes a whole variety of taxes - state and local. I know in some countries the price per gallon (or liter) includes hefty taxes to subsidize public transportation.

[Koronin]

It's not just the cost of public transportation, but also the convenient of it. If it's not convenient it's also not worthwhile or just flatly impossible to use. The public transportation system (the buses) in Charlotte started at around 8am and were back in their base by 10pm. Where my husband worked he couldn't have used it if he wanted to. Day shift started at 4:45am and ended at 3:45pm. 2nd shift started at 3:45pm and ended at 2:45am. No way to use the public transportation system. Charlotte did built one light rail line (southern part of the city) which is has been successful. However they want to build two more lines. The 1 will most likely eventually get built, but right now they can't get funding for it. The 2nd line is never going to get built for two reasons that I am aware of. First several towns that it will run through near will not help fund it because the return they will see to them does not give them enough return for their investment. The 2nd is because the freight railroads that use and actually own the tracks have said no you aren't going to use our lines and interfere with our schedules.