Quote:
Originally Posted by Rico Rommheim
Time for the private sector to jump in. Quebec needs dynamic private companies who are capable and willing to fully invest in transit infrastructure.
we can't count on our governments to deliver the goods quickly or efficiently.
my two cents
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I would love for you to be right about this, but unfortunately private companies tend to shy away from the massive sunk costs, long construction times and significant delays before seeing profits.
Companies are generally unwilling to take on that kind of risk, which is why the public sector is well suited to take on such large capital projects that benefit society as a whole. Companies have little interest in positive social and environmental externalities, so there is little impetus there.
This is going to be a very unpopular position for many folks, but I think it's high time we raise the gasoline tax significantly and place the revenue in a legally binding transit lock box. A mere 1 cent per liter increase in the Montreal CMA would add 1 new metro station per year if it were used for that purpose.
Reducing our dependence on automobiles while giving folks sustainable choices and alternatives, that's a winning strategy if you ask me. (Other cities seem to think so too, since that's precisely what's going on in places like Vancouver).