Where economic stops short
Article Abstract:
Singapore has used a number of measures to control traffic congestion, including investment in public transportation, and taxes on cars and usage of cars. Congestion has been reduced in the city center, but has increased in some other areas. Consumers have also bought old cars in order to obtain tax advantages from replacing them with newer cars. Fixed costs of car ownership are highdie to the need to obtain a certificate, so there is less incentive to control car usage. Lower fixed costs could mean that car owners default on bank loans taken out to buy the cars.
Publication Name: The Economist (UK)
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0013-0613
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Railroad job
Article Abstract:
Investment in public transportation may not be the most efficient way to tackle traffic congestion. Vienna, Austria, is an example of a city where congestion has been controlled through subsidized public transportation, but decentralization means that the same achievement is less attainable in Toronto. Changing travel patterns can make fixed systems like railroads obsolete. Cars also tend to take less time, so consumers tend to prefer to use them. Fuel tax increases and taxes on congestion may be needed to change habits.
Publication Name: The Economist (UK)
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0013-0613
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic: