Proposal to end traffic congestion on the DVP

[AdRath]

Just imagine how ****** you are gonna be when the people in Ajax start charging you for entering their portion of the 401 (since you don't pay tax to the town of Ajax) or the town of Vaughan charges you for going up the 404 - Come on! It drives me crazy when regular citizens suggest the government starts charging for something that is free, I tough that was the politicians jobs so they can get re-elected, of course after saying that is for the greater good, or for the children....or it's god's work like Fantino

Ajax and Vaughan don't own those roads the province on Ontario does so no need to worry about that. Toronto Owns the DVP and Gardiner which is why they are 90km/h and not 100km/h zones.

We in Toronto have to pay more to register a vehicle than anyone from outside. I'd love to get some value out of it.

I'm all in favour of making toll roads for out of town drivers. All the people come into the city and use the resources but don't pay a lick of tax to support the infrustructure they burden.

[Rob MacLennan]

And all the people who bring jobs into town, spend their money in town, buy their lunch in town....... As I have said before, doing so would be the death knell of the downtown core. Businesses would have far less reason to stay.

Toronto has artificially low property taxes, when compared to the surrounding areas, and it's simply time that it raised them appropriately.

[AdRath]

Most of the people who drive into the city aren't businesses they are employees who need to drive for their job. A few dollars here and there isn't going to stop them from going to work. It might make them think twice about taking transit or car pooling which is the point.

I'd have no problem paying a little more property tax if the money went to developing the modern infrastructure that many places outside the GTA have. Toronto is going bankrupt its no secret.

But of course we also pay a lot more to register a vehicle here. Increase everyone elses to match that also?

[Rob MacLennan]

I can tell you that it would seriously make me reconsider working in this city.

[AdRath]

I can tell you that it would seriously make me reconsider working in this city.

No more than the city of Toronto having us pay more to plate a car in Toronto has stopped people from living here. It forces people to maybe think about taking the gas guzzler solo downtown.

Would you really quit your job over paying a few extra dollars a month to drive into work? I'm sure there are many people who would gladly take over your position working downtown.

[Rob MacLennan]

No more than the city of Toronto having us pay more to plate a car in Toronto has stopped people from living here. It forces people to maybe think about taking the gas guzzler solo downtown.

Would you really quit your job over paying a few extra dollars a month to drive into work? I'm sure there are many people who would gladly take over your position working downtown.

I already got rid of my gas guzzler. I drive almost 50 Kms, each way, to get to work and it's as cheap and faster to drive in, than it is to take mass transit. It's all a numbers game. If I could make as much to work closer to home as my pay, minus transportation costs works out to in downtown Toronto, then I'd be a fool to keep working in the core. I like my job, but I think that I'd like an extra hour to relax at home after work more.

London has a congestion tax.
I hate this idea. Bad idea!

Motorcycles are exempt.

[AdRath]

I already got rid of my gas guzzler. I drive almost 50 Kms, each way, to get to work and it's as cheap and faster to drive in, than it is to take mass transit. It's all a numbers game. If I could make as much to work closer to home as my pay, minus transportation costs works out to in downtown Toronto, then I'd be a fool to keep working in the core. I like my job, but I think that I'd like an extra hour to relax at home after work more.



Motorcycles are exempt.

The problem is congestion and pollution. Until more people start using public transit the system will never evolve. Obviously at some point there is too much traffic for the infrastructure and we have almost reached that point. The Don Valley Parking lot is a fine example.

Should we just build more roads making it easier for people to drive more cars or should we encourage public transit and vehicles with a small footprint to be used?

I know which choice I think is right, you might not agree but we can't just keep adding more cars and more roads we need to relieve congestion. Small vehicles would be exempt from tolls.

[mat2312]

No more than the city of Toronto having us pay more to plate a car in Toronto has stopped people from living here. It forces people to maybe think about taking the gas guzzler solo downtown.

Would you really quit your job over paying a few extra dollars a month to drive into work? I'm sure there are many people who would gladly take over your position working downtown.

I'm a shining example of the person you want to tax. I don't make a great deal of money, I NEED my vehicle for the line of work I do. There is absolutely no way I can take transit to my job.

If a tax like this was implimented, I just would use the side streets to make my way up to the provincially owned 401. The road congestion would be insane.


oh ya, enjoy staying in the city because the moment you step onto a side street in Durham/Peel/Halton etc. we'll return the favour with a tax.


I'm not sure what you seek to gain by taxing people who bring money and economy into the city, the issue isn't the number of cars on the road. It's the infrastructure AND the efficiency/effectiveness of the transit system. Lets face it, the GO system and TTC just isn't practical for the average person.

[AdRath]

I'm a shining example of the person you want to tax. I don't make a great deal of money, I NEED my vehicle for the line of work I do. There is absolutely no way I can take transit to my job.

If a tax like this was implimented, I just would use the side streets to make my way up to the provincially owned 401. The road congestion would be insane.


oh ya, enjoy staying in the city because the moment you step onto a side street in Durham/Peel/Halton etc. we'll return the favour with a tax.


I'm not sure what you seek to gain by taxing people who bring money and economy into the city, the issue isn't the number of cars on the road. It's the infrastructure AND the efficiency/effectiveness of the transit system. Lets face it, the GO system and TTC just isn't practical for the average person.

We need to use the money collected to fund a better public transit system. Transit funding needs to be found and Toronto is Broke. You won't see better public transit till it benefits people to take it.

I'm sure if businesses can come up with a compromise or a flat lower rate. When gas prices rise most businesses pass the cost or part of it on to their customer. Prices rise all the time for various reasons in products and services. Sure people might ***** for a bit but they would get used to it.

The average person wouldn't stop coming to Toronto cause it costs $0.75 but over the volume of traffic the money adds up and serves to better public transit which those disuaded to drive will take and start to get involved. People need a kick in the ***.

For the rare times that I do go to friends houses in a neighbouring city I would have no problem paying $0.50-$0.75 to keep the roads and transit in that town decent.

People want less tax but then expect the infrastructure, transit to be top notch. That stuff is expensive and has to be paid for somewhere. There is just not currently enough money floating around. Like I said I would have no problem with a tax increase on my property taxes if it means the infrastructure of Toronto gets better. Of course there lies a problem is that I can't stand the Mayor of Toronto and his waste of cash. Damn bloated Unions.

[ddusseld]

There are a myriad of issues with regard to traffic in Toronto and/or the GTA. Traffic is as bad in the burbs as in the core. Just come to Mississauga/Brampton and go for a drive. It is insane. There is a catch 22. The transit system sucks. To fix the transit system requires a lot of money. But, since the system sucks you can't get more riders or more money so it continues to suck. Where I live in Mississauga the GO trains only run during rush hour and actually start running after I get to work. The cost of taking the GO and the subway is way more then me riding the bike and a bit more then driving the car. Makes no sense to take transit for me. I'd spend more and take more time.

What we as a society need to do is look at many alternatives. Working from at home can be done by many people yet is often not an option. I suspect we could reduce the number of commuters by 20-30% just by letting people who can work from home actually work from home. But, many companies are loath to let this happen.

Living closer to work. A great option but how can it be implemented? I'd love to live a 5-10 minute walk from work but simply can't afford to buy a house even close to equivalent to the house I have in the 'burbs.

People will continue to commute in their cars as long as the cost and time are any where close to transit. And who can blame them?

Oh yeah, If you think Rob would not quit a job over a highway toll if he thought the toll was wrong then you don't know him...

No more than the city of Toronto having us pay more to plate a car in Toronto has stopped people from living here. It forces people to maybe think about taking the gas guzzler solo downtown.

Would you really quit your job over paying a few extra dollars a month to drive into work? I'm sure there are many people who would gladly take over your position working downtown.

[suprPHREAK]

I don't mind this idea. I use Don Mills anyway.

[ZX600]

Ajax and Vaughan don't own those roads the province on Ontario does so no need to worry about that. Toronto Owns the DVP and Gardiner which is why they are 90km/h and not 100km/h zones.

We in Toronto have to pay more to register a vehicle than anyone from outside. I'd love to get some value out of it.

I'm all in favour of making toll roads for out of town drivers. All the people come into the city and use the resources but don't pay a lick of tax to support the infrustructure they burden.

I was using Ajax and Vaughan as an example, I know each city doesn't own their piece of the 401, just clarifying.

[Gnu]

We in Toronto have to pay more to register a vehicle than anyone from outside. I'd love to get some value out of it.

I'm all in favour of making toll roads for out of town drivers. All the people come into the city and use the resources but don't pay a lick of tax to support the infrustructure they burden.

So all the out of towners should have to pay because the people of Toronto are ****ing idiots who voted Miller in and ****** away all of TOs money? Great plan. You obviously are on Miller's staff.

[mat2312]

So all the out of towners should have to pay because the people of Toronto are ****ing idiots who voted Miller in and ****** away all of TOs money? Great plan. You obviously are on Miller's staff.

I think it's more that people like Adrath are frustrated with the incompetence at City Hall and the traffic nightmare the city has. There is no light at the end of the tunnel, the population of Toronto keeps growing and the roads stay the same.


The reason Toronto is broke however is not revenue in, it's what they're spending it on and unions aren't to blame.

[Rob MacLennan]

I think it's more that people like Adrath are frustrated with the incompetence at City Hall and the traffic nightmare the city has. There is no light at the end of the tunnel, the population of Toronto keeps growing and the roads stay the same.

The reason Toronto is broke however is not revenue in, it's what they're spending it on and unions aren't to blame.

That's a very narrow view, but not exactly atypical. I'm guessing that you listen to a fair bit of talk radio. Likely Bill Carroll.

The situation in Toronto has been decades in the making. Infrastructure has been permitted to decay, to the point of virtual collapse. Transit isn't supported in a reasonable fashion, and hasn't been since I was in college. That's a while ago, in case you're wondering. Property taxes haven't gone up substantially in... how long? You need money in order to support infrastructure. Sure, they shouldn't be blowing $5M on buildings that they don't need, but they've also had to sell off assets in order to pay the bills over the last few years.

[dankyyz]

Someone is taking Dankyyz sarcasm lessons. LOL. Nice work.

That's a very narrow very, but not exactly atypical. I'm guessing that you listen to a fair bit of talk radio. Likely Bill Carroll.

The situation in Toronto has been decades in the making. Infrastructure has been permitted to decay, to the point of virtual collapse. Transit isn't supported in a reasonable fashion, and hasn't been since I was in college. That's a while ago, in case you're wondering. Property taxes haven't gone up substantially in... how long? You need money in order to support infrastructure. Sure, they shouldn't be blowing $5M on buildings that they don't need, but they've also had to sell off assets in order to pay the bills over the last few years.

[dankyyz]

So you dont agree at all with the idea that people who dont pay for something, should be allowed to clog it every day (one rider in each car, no car pooling) without paying?

Regardless of how "we" are dealing with things, how do you get something for nothing?

So all the out of towners should have to pay because the people of Toronto are ****ing idiots who voted Miller in and ****** away all of TOs money? Great plan. You obviously are on Miller's staff.

[BlackCrowe13]

TO is a dying city as it is... expenses are too large for businesses to remain there, salaries are growing too large, renting office space is becoming a monumental cost, taxes are closer to extortion... My office was moved out of TO, and next year my gf's office will be moving to the burbs as well. (These are large companies, not mom and poppers). Real estate market will drop, businesses will close becasue there are fewer commuters bringing money to the city core to spend on a daily basis.
As for people that live in the core that try to get more taxes from commuters from outside areas?

Toronto has a crumbling infrastructure that needs serious coin to maintain and update... When you buy a house, do you not consider the foundation, maintenence, and age of the home? Buying into Toronto and then complaining about the tax you pay is just rediculous... Are taxes too high and unfair? Probably... but most places in Ontario pay too much based on their living expenses and pay scales regardless if you live in TO or the burbs. TO complains about people that come from outside the city and don't pay the taxes... News for you folks... without the daily rat racers commuting to the big smoke, it would be a poor city with very little money circulating... TO is only a major hub because of the commuters. Commuters fill jobs, make money and spend it with businesses in TO 5 days a week... They also pay a rediculous amount of money in taxes when they fill up their gas tank to make that commute to work.

Everyone in Ontario pays crazy amounts in taxes... You make a dollar and get to spend apx 50% of it after taxes... Point the fingers at the politicians that ask for more and more... don't try to pawn off extra taxes on one another... we are all getting raped as it is.