Light rail burdens low-income Denver metro transit riders
by Randal O’Toole When Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) opened its West light-rail line last April, it naturally cancelled parallel bus service. But, for many people, riding the light rail cost a lot more than the bus. This effectively made transit unaffordable for some low-income workers, who now drive to work. A group called 9to5, […]
How to Think About Drones
Virtually every state in America has either passed legislation or is contemplating legislation to regulate drones—small unmanned aircraft with the capability
of autonomous flight. The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 requirement for the integration of drones into the National Airspace System by 2015 has triggered a flurry of interest in the technology. Unfortunately, the current regulatory structure as defined by the Federal Aviation Administration poses a tremendous barrier to entry for drone- based businesses, and has placed the industry behind more drone-friendly countries like Japan and Australia, where unmanned aircraft have enjoyed approval for commercial use for years. State-based regulations might present an opportunity to improve the situation.
Taking the Trolley, er, Light Rail
by Rob Natelson Commuting by car from my home in Lakewood to the Independence Institute usually takes an intense 18 minutes—25 minutes in heavy traffic. But today I decided to take “light rail.” I use the term “light rail” somewhat awkwardly. When I was growing up, I was taught to call it the “trolley,” and […]
PIRG report overstates millennials’ anti-car, anti-suburb preferences
[This] story about Millennials losing interest in driving appears to be mostly an artifact of the recession’s severe impact on younger people, not a fundamental change in their choices of where to live or how to travel.
Colorado House Bill 13-1272: RTD's unconstitutional tax increase
But [RTD Board Member Natalie] Menten calls the new taxing authority illegal because voters did not approve it. She terms it a “unconstitutional, regressive tax hike.”
Colorado House Bill 13-1272: RTD’s unconstitutional tax increase
But [RTD Board Member Natalie] Menten calls the new taxing authority illegal because voters did not approve it. She terms it a “unconstitutional, regressive tax hike.”
Denver Post: RTD riders demand return of west side express bus service
Some long-time Regional Transportation District customers are angry that their express bus service was dumped in favor of the newly opened W light rail line.
Thousands of bridges are "fracture critical," while governments divert fuel tax revenue transit projects
Why are fuel tax revenues used for transit projects like light rail, while drivers risk their lives when crossing poorly maintained bridges
Thousands of bridges are “fracture critical,” while governments divert fuel tax revenue transit projects
Why are fuel tax revenues used for transit projects like light rail, while drivers risk their lives when crossing poorly maintained bridges
Vehicle miles traveled fees and privacy
Randal O’Toole: Compared with [technology police officers have to scan license plates], privacy concerns over such things as self-driving cars or [vehicle miles traveled] pricing seem tame.
Colorado SB 13-048 vs. the Constitution: fuel tax dollars for trains and bike paths
The law’s proponents say the spending qualifies as a road maintenance measure because it pays for ways to reduce traffic and thus the wear and tear on local highways. Schwartz said by that logic, the fuel tax could then be used to subsidize people buying new computers and faster Internet connections.
Poll: Most Drivers Would Use Toll Lanes
The poll found nearly 70% of U.S. drivers would pay $5 on average to save 15 minutes on the road.
