tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post3754101627679830491..comments2024-03-09T05:03:54.979-05:00Comments on Public Transit in Ottawa: Auditor General goes after transit tax creditPeter Raaymakershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10883553886241429786noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-5692172786520723242009-03-02T14:28:00.000-05:002009-03-02T14:28:00.000-05:00Here is a simple test of whether it worked. Slope...Here is a simple test of whether it worked. Slope of the growth rate of trips on large urban transit systems in Canada before the credit: 0.67 million passenger-trips per month. Slope after it started: 0.46 million passenger-trips per month. This despite a huge increase in gas prices. You don't even have to ask how much extra growth the credit caused. Someone has to explain why transit use grew less with credit than without.tono-bungayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08644390429573365914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-10828864742830748482009-02-08T12:09:00.000-05:002009-02-08T12:09:00.000-05:00If the whole idea of a credit or deduction is to h...If the whole idea of a credit or deduction is to have a short term gain then I guess it is time to get rid of the charity deduction. Since cancer, heart disease and poverty are still with us after decades of that deduction being available. Or we can look at the deduction as being part of a long term strategy.<BR/><BR/>I would suggest bus pass deductions is a more successful strategy for reducing greenhouse gas than highway expansion is. And a whole lot cheaper.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-11281721876871721372009-02-07T23:02:00.000-05:002009-02-07T23:02:00.000-05:00It'd be a shame if it didn't change people's behav...It'd be a shame if it didn't change people's behaviour much. Although it could be a debate-worthy idea to boost the credit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-9725809440141158992009-02-07T01:17:00.000-05:002009-02-07T01:17:00.000-05:00I'm in the same boat as anon. I take the bus becau...I'm in the same boat as anon. I take the bus because it's cheaper than a car, and I'm not about to change my transit habits for a paltry $180/year ($60/mo * 12mo * .15). I doubt anyone who drives will either. At best, the incentive is a nod to people already doing the right thing; at worst, it's expensive greenwashing. Either way, it isn't going to change anyone's behaviour.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-3973759546897439302009-02-06T11:01:00.000-05:002009-02-06T11:01:00.000-05:00I claimed my bus passes last year. Although, to b...I claimed my bus passes last year. Although, to be fair, I would have taken the bus whether or not the credit had been offered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com