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A massive transportation plan being drafted by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) includes a proposed per-mile road tax that could hit local drivers by 2030.
The proposal is part of the SANDAG Regional Plan 2021 – a 30-year plan worth $ 163 billion that targets the future of transport in the region. The plan provides free public transportation and a 200-mile regional rail network valued at $ 43 billion. You can find more about the regional plan here.
The agency says the transportation tax revenue will go beyond basic road improvements to fund the next generation of transportation infrastructure. The plan highlights “5 Big Moves” that will reshape the region’s locomotion.
Proceeds from the proposed four cents per mile tax would benefit the projects, as would two regional sales taxes of two half cents slated for 2022 and 2028. The agency is still working to set a reasonable rate for the tax per mile and says there must be “reasonable and available alternatives to the private car”.
SANDAG says revenue from the recent gas tax is falling due to an increase in fuel-efficient cars. The kilometer tax is intended to supplement and ultimately replace this income.
According to a 2020 report by the Think Tank Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, average fuel efficiency improved by around 26% between 1993 and 2020. This means that drivers will cover an average of 75 more miles per tank.
“Those 75 additional kilometers are causing wear and tear on the country’s roads with no gas tax compensation required to cover the cost,” the report said.
San Diegan Melinda Schlegal, who drives a gasoline vehicle, says she understands her contribution to society in the form of taxes, but wishes there was more of a one-way street.
“I can’t afford an electric car or anything like that, so there may be other measures that support buying vehicles that don’t use gas,” said Schlegal.
She also thinks about the future.
“I have a little girl who is 3 years old and I am not sure what we are leaving her with at this point, so I am ready to do whatever I can,” she said.
SANDAG is considering a new mandate to tax drivers per kilometer driven, which has led to mixed reactions. NBC 7’s Melissa Adan has more information for you.
Karla Teuffer, who drives a hybrid, isn’t exactly thrilled about potentially paying more tax, but if she ends up paying a mile tax, she’ll want to see receipts.
“I don’t like it. I don’t think we have to pay more taxes, but when it does happen I think lawmakers should really be transparent about where the money is going and show receipts of who is being paid for what, because me feel like there is so much suspicion, “said Teuffer.
County Supervisor Jim Desmond took a tough stance against road tolls, claiming that SANDAG wanted to “punish” San Diegans by driving them out of car ownership and dependence on trams and buses.
He also shared Teuffer’s concerns about the allocation.
“In 2004, SANDAG proposed a new sales tax to voters that would raise $ 14 billion, promising to ease traffic congestion, improve safety and pool state / federal funding to improve the following highways: I-5, I-8 , I -15, SR 52, SR 54, SR 56, SR 67, SR 76, SR 78, SR 94, SR 125, I-805. The voters decided this under the impression that their commuting home would be faster and easier Instead, SANDAG employees have preferred public transport projects, while 14 of the highway projects have not been funded, “Desmond said in a statement sent via email.
The agency says charging for the transportation infrastructure they use is becoming more common, and that charges and more efficient infrastructure can help change travel behavior – the plan cites an increase in carpooling along Interstate 15 once managed lanes were introduced.
California has tested charging at about 2 cents per mile in pilot programs, but has encountered several problems. The state is having trouble reporting usage by miles and whether miles should count out of state. It is unclear how SANDAG will work around this problem.
The agency intends to “adapt to the latest planning efforts by the state to allow sufficient time to study and test pricing strategies and to ensure that adequate and available alternatives to the private car are in place before implementing pricing strategies”. “, It says in a SANDAG document on this subject.
Here are the five projects the tax would fund, according to SANDAG:
Next operating system: “The Next Operating System (OS) is the“ brain ”of the entire traffic system. It is a digital platform that compiles information from sources such as passenger cars, delivery vans, e-bikes and scooters in a central data hub. Analysis of this data will improve the planning, operation and experience of transports. “
Complete corridors: “Complete corridors offer a multitude of travel options and use technology to manage the use of motorways and main roads in real time, use public transport and use flexible fleets.”
Flexible fleets: The Flexible Fleets strategy builds on the popularity of shared mobility services such as on-demand ridesharing, bike sharing and scooter sharing services. These fleets offer different mobility options and vehicles for all types of travel, reducing the need to own a car. Services can make it easy for you to connect to bullet trains and other critical destinations by providing a last mile connection or providing an entire journey. “
Transit jump: “Transit Leap could create a complete network of fast, high-performance, high-frequency transit services connecting large residential areas with work centers and attractions across the San Diego area. Transit Leap services could combine with the support of flexible fleets in mobility centers. New high-speed services – which cover longer distances with limited stops – can be separated from vehicle traffic by bridges, tunnels or special lanes. Improvements to existing transportation services such as Trolley, COASTER, SPRINTER, and Rapid may include additional rail tracks, more frequent service, dedicated transit lanes, and traffic light priority to move transit forward quickly.
Mobility hubs: “Mobility hubs are places of connectivity where different travel options – on foot, by bike, by public transport and shared mobility – come together. They provide an integrated suite of mobility services, amenities, and assistive technologies to better connect high-frequency traffic to a person’s origin. ”A mobility hub can span a mile, two, or a few to accommodate an on-demand travel selection for short trips to offer in a community. “
SANDAG will discuss the tax and the entire regional plan in a meeting on Friday and will present a final draft in December.
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