Vehicle (Excise) Tax renewal

jruz · Aug 15, 2007

FiFo said:
Typical government solution, the system doesn't work so throw more money at it. And if everyone did stop driving and there for stopped paying all those taxes that subsidize busses then who would pay for this wonderful transit system? Do you really think more people would pay for transit if they actually had to pay full price at the door?

From Metro's site...

Since the loss of the MVET, Metro has become increasingly dependent on local sales tax, which has proven to be a less stable revenue source.

How Transit Is Funded
Sales Tax: 61%
Fares: 14%
Capital Grants: 12%
Sound Transit: 5%
Interest Income: 2%
Other Operations Revenue: 2%
Miscellaneous: 4%

Pretty hard to get everyone to stop paying sales tax. :corn:

Totalled · Aug 15, 2007

FiFo said:
Typical government solution, the system doesn't work so throw more money at it. And if everyone did stop driving and there for stopped paying all those taxes that subsidize busses then who would pay for this wonderful transit system? Do you really think more people would pay for transit if they actually had to pay full price at the door?

It's going to cost me $X.XX to get to work. Weather I'm riding a bus or driving myself. I don't disagree that current bus riders aren't subsidized... But.. if the price reflected cost.. a different client

ZedMikey · Aug 15, 2007

bulzeye said:
that just shows that i was right. most of the projects are in king and snohomish counties

Anybody have a link to a breakdown of state taxes collected by county?

zig80toy · Aug 15, 2007

FiFo said:
Typical government solution, the system doesn't work so throw more money at it. And if everyone did stop driving and there for stopped paying all those taxes that subsidize busses then who would pay for this wonderful transit system? Do you really think more people would pay for transit if they actually had to pay full price at the door?

Ahh, you answered your own question. If everyone stopped driving, then yes, it would cost more to get on the bus. But there is your problem. Who is going to stop driving? We all own cars and we will drive all over the place at will. Part of the cost we share for this privilege goes towards mass transit.

BobR · Aug 15, 2007

bus service is subsidized yes. why? because it makes sence.

it reduces the number of cars on the road limiting the amount of money that would be otherwise be needed to pay for more roads and maintanance of existing roads. the reduction in traffic more than offsets the cost of the subsidy. thus saving the driving public money.

it also controls the need for welfare by alowing poor people better mobility to find a job with further reducingthe net cost to the government.

I do not have a link to the site but a few western counties pay about 80% in this state and recieve only about 60% of the revenue. WTF!! thats wrong!in King county alone it is even worse! King county pays about 60% of this states taxes and only recieves a pathetic pittance in return.

Bob