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百鲁政府正在研讨的一项报告指出，为了缓解城区拥堵的程度，应该对机动车征收一项城市拥堵税。
这项可能会导致对进入CBD和近城区的轿车和卡车征收多达10元/次的拥堵税的计划，是根据州财务部长Kim Wells下令对全州范围的基础建设进行研讨的一部分内容。
“对拥堵征收税项是强有力的经济调控手段，并且，如果征收的部分或全部税项都用在道路建设和公共交通上，那么在政治上所受到的阻力也是比较容易应付的。”这项研讨报告中如是说。
经济顾问公司ACIL TASMAN于上周五提交的这项多达188页的报告，强调了类似墨尔本和悉尼这样的城市将从征收拥堵税中获益。
目前在国际上，已经有伦敦、新加坡、斯德哥尔摩征收了交通拥堵税，其他国际大都市也正在考虑引入此类的税项。
ACTL TASMAN的基建项目董事David Greig说，在墨尔本开征交通拥堵税已经不再是件“难做的事情”。
“这件事情已经可以放上议事日程了。”他说。
但是，报告中并没有对税额提出建议，且未对拟征收拥堵税的街道列出清单。
政府女发言人对此发表言论称，政府欢迎社会各界对维州的发展提出自己的建议，全部报告的汇总日期将截至于2012年1月，届时，政府将在整个报告的基础上对此加以考虑。
MOTORISTS should be slugged with a city congestion tax to unlock Melbourne's gridlock, according to a report being considered by the Baillieu Government.
The plan - which could see cars and trucks charged up to $10 each time they enter the CBD and inner suburbs - is part of a state-wide infrastructure inquiry ordered by Treasurer Kim Wells.
"The economic case for congestion charging is strong, and the political challenge becomes easier if some or all of the revenue is channelled into road and public transport improvements," the report finds.
Economic consulting firm Acil Tasman presented the submission to Mr Wells as part of the Government's Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission investigation.
The car-tax call, contained in the 188-page report released on Friday, highlighted Melbourne and Sydney as cities that would benefit from a congestion tax.
Acil Tasman infrastructure director David Greig said the cost would depend on the time of day or night a driver used the tollway and the roads they used.
He said the introduction of a congestion charge in Melbourne was no longer in the "too-hard basket".
"It's now on the radar screen," he said.
"Many ministers have started mentioning it as a long-term possibility and put it on the horizon. It's not a radical idea anymore, it's a major thing."
The report concludes that a steady increase in traffic congestion in Melbourne means there is a "strong case" for the State Government to start charging motorists for the right to enter the city.
The report states: "Congestion charging, combined with public transport improvements ...would improve travellers' well-being and improve the efficiency with which Melbourne operates."
According to the report, congestion has slowed average traffic speeds in Melbourne by 5km/h since 1998.
Urban congestion taxes already operate in Singapore, Stockholm and London, with other international cities also considering introducing the charge.
The report has not set out a price guide or nominated streets where the tax would apply.
But in 2005, the Business Council of Australia estimated a $10 tax on each car entering the city would allow peak morning travel speeds to double to 26.5km/h by 2021.
London's congestion charge is $15 a day if purchased on the day of travel. Congestion has fallen by 20 per cent since London introduced its tax in 2003.
The report notes that the introduction of time-varying, one-way tolls on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel has increased off-peak traffic and reduced rush-hour traffic.
It sheds some doubt, however, on whether a similar toll would work on the Westgate Bridge.
"The Westgate Bridge is heavily used all day and congestion charging there, while justifiable, would not provide a solution," it says.
Government spokeswoman Kate Walsh said the issue would be considered as part of the overall report.
"The Government encourages all community members and businesses to make submissions to the VCEC inquiry on measures that could improve Victoria's productivity and competitiveness," she said.
"The inquiry is due to report to the Government in January 2012 and the Government will consider recommendations when it receives the full report."
Former Federal Treasury secretary Ken Henry last year estimated congestion charges on Melbourne's roads would cost the average Melbourne resident $1290 a year by 2020.
He said the social costs of congestion would amount to almost $6 billion a year by the same stage.
The RACV, Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce and Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission have all previously voiced support for a congestion charge.
- Peter Rolfe
http://m.news.com.au/VIC/pg/0/fi757668.htm
[ 本帖最后由 守望者 于 2011-6-22 00:12 编辑 ] |
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征文： 打工未称帝，老板成拌牢 (2011-10-30) dickson 
发表于 2011-6-21 23:51
