Public Transportation Encouragement Bill [On President's Desk]

[Franzl]

This needn't be the final bill if fellow senators have alternative suggestions, but I think most will like the principle of this.

In the form of a tax rebate, this provides not only an economic stimulus, but also has the potential to reduce pollution and get cars off the streets.

People living in suburban and urban areas often could leave their car at home, and I would hope that this might give them the motivation.

[Franzl]

accepted as friendly

[Franzl]

Financial incentives for catching the bus?  Hmm.

Walking is good.  Riding a bike is good.  Carpooling is good.  I suspect it would be difficult to create tax credits for these activities however.

True, I suppose, but someone living close enough to work that he would be able to walk or ride a bike is already saving lots of money compared to driving or using public transporation, right?

Even with the 15% tax incentive, it's not likely to get walkers to catch the bus, but I think it does have the potential to get some cars off the road.

[Franzl]

Look at my amendment. That's how it currently stands.

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How could I miss that . I think that is clear and simple enough. I think that I can support it for the environment.

Only one problem remains. It only helps people in the metropolitan areas. Who lives in a rural area did not benefit.

Well too bad for them

I'm not about to subsidize automobile usage more than we already do.

[Franzl]

Aye

[Franzl]

This bill gives a tax credit of 15% for people who purchase a travel pass. The simpler, less bureaucratic way would be to simply reduce the cost of purchasing a travel pass by 15%. Instead it stays the same, yet now we have the added costs of administering and running a small tax credit which in all will cost more to implement than just a simple flat cut would have. It's a convoluted piece of legislation.

I made the same point a few posts up but no one took notice

It's a fair point.

Any chance to stop the vote now? And if not, maybe we can pass legislation soon that replaces this with Al and Afleitch's proposal.

[Franzl]

Alright, I'll change it in future legislation