Your general point of looking at both sides of the ledger is right.
QLD has had 50c fares for a few years, which have been so popular the new government kept them after the election.
On the question of “Why not a zero price?” I think the answer is similar to keep people off buses and trains who aren’t there to get from A to B. Prices being order to the system in a way. It costs something rather than nothing.
The issue with QLD flat fares is that people can go to the Gold or Sunshine coast for 50c. Which is fine. But it doesn’t help us to understand where the value of extra commuting is when it comes to new investment.
Admittedly, the problem is worse for roads and driving. I think a price per KM for driving would be a great way to help partially fund roads rather than the pure tax system we have now that you argue is superior on equality grounds. It helps sort us of road to those who value them more, which is what a price does for public transport (even if revenues don’t cover much of the overall cost of the system).
Have to consider external costs of motor vehicles (EVs or not) v. public transport. As the slogan goes what we need is not more EVs but fewer cars.
Your general point of looking at both sides of the ledger is right.
QLD has had 50c fares for a few years, which have been so popular the new government kept them after the election.
On the question of “Why not a zero price?” I think the answer is similar to keep people off buses and trains who aren’t there to get from A to B. Prices being order to the system in a way. It costs something rather than nothing.
The issue with QLD flat fares is that people can go to the Gold or Sunshine coast for 50c. Which is fine. But it doesn’t help us to understand where the value of extra commuting is when it comes to new investment.
Admittedly, the problem is worse for roads and driving. I think a price per KM for driving would be a great way to help partially fund roads rather than the pure tax system we have now that you argue is superior on equality grounds. It helps sort us of road to those who value them more, which is what a price does for public transport (even if revenues don’t cover much of the overall cost of the system).
What do you say to the idea of the price being a signal to help smooth out demand ?