Mass. governor moves to end debt-based driver’s license suspensions

[Roadgeekteen]

Would you support making the necessary investments to make a car free life more accessible in our cities?

In the state of Texas, the local cities can add 2% on top of the 6.25% sales tax. To participate in the DART transit system, the city has to give 1% of the 2% available to DART. Right now, several cities are revolting against this.

So I guess the answer for Texans is no

[kalvado]

Would you support making the necessary investments to make a car free life more accessible in our cities?

In the state of Texas, the local cities can add 2% on top of the 6.25% sales tax. To participate in the DART transit system, the city has to give 1% of the 2% available to DART. Right now, several cities are revolting against this.

So I guess the answer for Texans is no

As a big picture.. Question is about costs - and of course car ownership isn't free as well.
My impression, a lot of transit issues in most of US is because transit is treated as a handout for poor, not as a public asset. That is - spread costs wide, benefit few, let politicians control money flows without much regard to efficiency. That's not the way to promote things and make them efficient.
Places which inherited efficient systems are often just spending those assets.

[Roadgeekteen]

Would you support making the necessary investments to make a car free life more accessible in our cities?

In the state of Texas, the local cities can add 2% on top of the 6.25% sales tax. To participate in the DART transit system, the city has to give 1% of the 2% available to DART. Right now, several cities are revolting against this.

So I guess the answer for Texans is no

As a big picture.. Question is about costs - and of course car ownership isn't free as well.
My impression, a lot of transit issues in most of US is because transit is treated as a handout for poor, not as a public asset. That is - spread costs wide, benefit few, let politicians control money flows without much regard to efficiency. That's not the way to promote things and make them efficient.
Places which inherited efficient systems are often just spending those assets.

That is true. If transit users all don't have any other options, no incentive for politicians or agencies to improve service as its not like if it's bad enough they can switch to cars.

[kalvado]

Would you support making the necessary investments to make a car free life more accessible in our cities?

In the state of Texas, the local cities can add 2% on top of the 6.25% sales tax. To participate in the DART transit system, the city has to give 1% of the 2% available to DART. Right now, several cities are revolting against this.

So I guess the answer for Texans is no

As a big picture.. Question is about costs - and of course car ownership isn't free as well.
My impression, a lot of transit issues in most of US is because transit is treated as a handout for poor, not as a public asset. That is - spread costs wide, benefit few, let politicians control money flows without much regard to efficiency. That's not the way to promote things and make them efficient.
Places which inherited efficient systems are often just spending those assets.

That is true. If transit users all don't have any other options, no incentive for politicians or agencies to improve service as its not like if it's bad enough they can switch to cars.

My point is rather transit better to become an acceptable, if not preferred option for many - not a giveaway to poor. A valuable option worth paying for. With clear understanding that such option cannot be cheap (and of course possible assistance to those less lucky).
In other words.. can we think about it as a business competing for customers?

[GaryV]

"Several cities in Texas are revolting" is not exactly earth-shattering news.

Who appointed you the poster child for creative snipping?   

[kphoger]

Who appointed you the poster child for creative snipping?

The capsule stands.

[Max Rockatansky]

This recent string of replies impleases me.

[hbelkins]

Couldn't a governmental or quasi-governmental agency garnish wages of those who are guilty of nonpayment of tolls or fines in lieu of license or registration suspension?

[Scott5114]

"Several cities in Texas are revolting" is not exactly earth-shattering news.

Who appointed you the poster child for creative snipping?   

Alex. Next question.

[kkt]

Couldn't a governmental or quasi-governmental agency garnish wages of those who are guilty of nonpayment of tolls or fines in lieu of license or registration suspension?

If they have an identifiable job, not unemployed or paid under the table.

It's very easy for people on the lower end of the wage scale to end up underwater.  A friend of ours worked at an assisted living home.  Off the bus routes and at least 5 miles from any apartment buildings, so she drove.  Didn't pay a whole lot and she was paycheck to paycheck.  Then the assisted living facility went broke and didn't pay two month's paychecks, and she was out a job.  For a while she had an expired driver's license and car registration.  She did get a ticket at least for the registration, maybe for the license too? and it took months and months before getting everything straightened out.