Opinion: The True Cost of "Free" Roads

**Tideland Prius** · 05-06-2005, 12:35 PM

thought it was an interesting read

If McDonald's offered free hamburgers, you can bet the line at the drive-thru would be pretty long. So why are we surprised that "free" roads-especially in and around major population centers-are increasingly choked with traffic at all hours of the day and night?

There's no incentive not to queue up for another "free" serving of asphalt. And why not? Free is everyone's favorite price-right?

The only problem is, supply (new roads) can't keep up with demand (more and more cars vying for space), just as surely as McDonald's could never hope to serve an endless conga line of drive-thru customers in search of a hamburger handout.

Read Article

mikepaul · 05-06-2005, 12:40 PM

I just wish those 'free' roads didn't suck up so many taxes to get themselves built, maintained, and open in bad weather...

05-06-2005, 12:35 PM	#1
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,909 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Opinion: The True Cost of "Free" Roads thought it was an interesting read If McDonald's offered free hamburgers, you can bet the line at the drive-thru would be pretty long. So why are we surprised that "free" roads-especially in and around major population centers-are increasingly choked with traffic at all hours of the day and night? There's no incentive not to queue up for another "free" serving of asphalt. And why not? Free is everyone's favorite price-right? The only problem is, supply (new roads) can't keep up with demand (more and more cars vying for space), just as surely as McDonald's could never hope to serve an endless conga line of drive-thru customers in search of a hamburger handout. Read Article __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package as of 25th Oct 2004 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, OEM All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Interior Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Integration Kit, LED licence plate lights, Phillips Vision Plus 2008 smart fortwo passion coupé as of 28th Apr 2008 Foglights, dash pods, leather seats, OEM rubber mats, BRABUS alum. handbrake, LED licence plate lights & dome lamp

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05-06-2005, 12:40 PM	#2
mikepaul Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,676 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I just wish those 'free' roads didn't suck up so many taxes to get themselves built, maintained, and open in bad weather...