One of the most difficult points to make to the general public anywhere in the world is that all scarce goods and services can be priced to achieve near efficient use. This may be explained by the failure to realize that the use of public facilities such as highways and roads are not necessarily free and this realization accounts for the congestion experienced in major cosmopolitan areas. Covered in an earlier post here, what started as an unpopular experiment by Ken Livingstone of London is proof that proper application of immutable principles of economics can improve outcomes.
Since the spectacular success of the initial introduction of road pricing into metropolitan areas of London, the idea has gained broad, even if begrudging respectability.
Now, Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York is arguing forcefully for the introduction of congestion pricing within the metropolitan area. A well written commentary in the New Yorker by Elizabeth Colbert discusses the context and the prospects of congestion pricing in New York. This is long overdue.
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We all have to wonder what Bloomberg is really thinking of with this congestion pricing tax scheme. Maybe he mostly just wants a new tax. Just wrap it up in ‘concern for the environment’, and then people can just demonize those who oppose it.
If he cares so much about traffic jams, congestion and air pollution, why does he let Park Avenue be blocked off? Why doesn’t he do anything about that?
Pershing Square Restaurant blocks Park Avenue going South at 42nd St. for about 12 hours a day/5 months of the year! This Causes Massive Congestion & Air Pollution!
But apparently it does not bother NYC’s Nanny-in-Chief Mike “Congestion Pricing Tax” Bloomberg? Check out the map!
http://whataplanet.blogspot.com
http://preview.tinyurl.com/38obfd
Check it out!
Thanks,
Little Blue PD
:)
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