Government

‘Ludicrous’: San Fran Area Drivers Could be Forced to Install GPS Devices That Tax Their Travel

San Francisco Bay Area Plan Proposes Tracking Car Travel With GPS and Taxing Drivers as Much as a Dime per Mile

Morning traffic on the San Francisco Bay Bridge. (Photo: Getty Images/Justin Sullivan)

On Thursday evening, a controversial study in the San Francisco Bay Area will be voted upon that could require drivers to allow GPS devices to be installed inside their car. The ultimate goal? Not to see where they’re going, but to evaluate how much they’re driving — and consider taxing them for it.

The San Jose Mercury News (via The Reporter) poses this scenario:

Imagine being taxed a dollar for driving to the store. Commute to work? That’ll be a few bucks more.

Is it crazy or the way of the future?

It goes on writing that it could even cost drivers in the area $1,300 per year in taxes if implemented. Low-income people would be exempt from the proposed tax on travelling the Bay Area’s nine-county highways and neighborhood roads. It would also be expected to reduce congestion.

But first, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments will decide whether or not to even allow a study of how the program would work to take place. CBS Local reports Randy Rentschler with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission saying the study would be a 20-year look at how the area is traveled and how much.

(Related: Would a Voluntary Incentive Program to Relieve Traffic Congestion Work in the U.S.?)

“We’re not interested in where they go. We’re only interested in the amount they travel,” Rentschler is reported as saying. “But for some folks, that’s a distinction without a difference. Anytime you talk about getting information from people, whenever that conversation comes up, it’s another hurdle you have to overcome.”

Listen to KCBS’ audio report on the proposed plan:

The proposed Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) tax could cost as much as a dime per mile. It has been said that revenue from such a program would help fund roadway improvement and public transit.

Here’s what some people told the San Jose Mercury News about the proposed tax:

“Are you kidding me?” said South Bay driver Kevin Spencer of Yellow Checker Cab. “It’s ludicrous. Some of the families, blue-collar people just trying to make a living, could have to decide whether to pay their mortgage” or drive.

[...]

“It really would be premature in the next five years to even think about trying something like this,” said former presidential transportation adviser Bob Poole, who supports VMT taxes but called the Bay Area plan too “utopian” to be realistic. “There are a huge number of questions that need to be worked on.”

[...]

“It’s a big fat no,” said Jim Eyer, chair of the Alameda County Libertarian Party. “I‘d suspect for various reason it wouldn’t be very popular. Everybody already feels like they’re over-taxed.”

Still, the concept does have some support from environmentalists and other transportation experts. Jeff Hobson, deputy director of Oakland-based TransForm that first proposed such an idea, told the San Jose Mercury News this would be “[investing] in our common future.”

The plan, which as pointed out by the Huffington Post is part of the One Bay Area plan, is far from being officially implemented though. If it ever does come to fruition, it could raise $15 million each day. Other communities have conducted small studies of such an idea with results showing decreased car travel. The San Jose Mercury News points out that in these cases though the people were given a “cash balance” from which money was depleted when cars were driven and anything left over was given to the driver.

The Oregon Department of Transportation is beginning a similar pilot program this fall, using transportation officials and state legislators as the test subjects.

Comments (185)

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  • TulsaYeeHaw
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:28pm

    6. Centralization of the means of communications and transportation in the hands of the State.

    Plank number 6 from the “communist manifesto.”

    Report Post »  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on July 21, 2012 at 10:03am

      .
      The voters of San Francisco will complain,
      then re-elect the politicians who tax them to death.

      Let them stew in their own juice.

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
  • Zipit
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:24pm

    Ain’t the picture of our progressive future great! Had a friend in London explain the local hose tax. That’s right hose tax, and the guy who was employed by the government that walked around and measured the length of your garden hose so as to tax you on the distance from your house that you are able to deliver water! Gotta love these libs!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Kreinhe
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:24pm

    As long as people keep voting for these dopes, the more of this kind of crap they’ll have.rammed down their throats.

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 5:19pm

      A once beautiful city .. that I never want to visit. These leftists have let it become a toilet .. let them live in it .. this would NOT fly where I live .. stay where you are do not “infect” the rest of us.

      Report Post »  
  • FaithfulFriend
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:23pm

    I hope they can work this out because anyone still living there needs to stay there. We don’t want you here.

    Report Post » FaithfulFriend  
    • woodyee
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:37pm

      Remember this Faithful (and all good folks here),

      The Leftist is a parasite, more because he sets aside common sense for the emotional well-being of the self…folks in Oregon, Nevada, AZ HATE Californians because, like parasites, they flee the ruins of their votes to other States…taking their bad voting habits with them.

      Report Post » woodyee  
  • 00gabooga
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:23pm

    At first I thought it would work to reduce congestion, because anyone with a car and any sense would move away. But then I remembered, this is San Francisco. Anyone with any sense ALREADY HAS moved away. This city DESERVES every act of stupidity it brings upon itself.

    Report Post » 00gabooga  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:22pm

    GPS in San Fran?

    Must be those new Gay Positioning Satellites……

    Report Post » The-Monk  
    • Zipit
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:32pm

      I hear there’s a stylish new belt available to which they can attach their unit!

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:40pm

      @Zipit

      I heard it was a piercing…. LOL

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • Zipit
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:42pm

      Love the expandable hose! As seen on TV!!!

      Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 5:20pm

      MONK, ZIPIT,
      Bwahahahahahahahahahaha

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • TEIN
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:21pm

    Just wait and see the “non low-income” stealing the low income cars to avoid taxes…Low-income dudes renting their cars out for the weekend…just look at how this could not be a bad corrupt idea!!!

    Report Post »  
    • bluegrandma52
      Posted on July 20, 2012 at 2:15pm

      And a new business is born! Isn’t free enterprise a wonderful thing?! The poor rent out their non-chipped cars to busy white collar types, make a killing in the free market, and become wealthier. But all of this takes place under the table, so no taxes are paid on the income, leaving the govt to wonder why so many “poor” people are living on the swanky hills of San Fran.

      Report Post »  
  • Mukichan
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:20pm

    Even for crazy Tax lovers this is crazy. Those who drive more already pay more. its simple , its the tax on gas . If you drive , you pay. These people are cray it has to stop but as long as those types are elceted (looking your way Crazy Loon Woman Nancy P) You get what you elect.

    Report Post » Mukichan  
    • TedsOfBeverlyHills
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:45pm

      That isn’t true. The idiot hybrid drivers don’t pay anywhere near the same taxes on gasoline that you and I pay. And forget about the Chevy Volt brainless wonders. Eliminate the tax on fuel, and start taxing on distance. Pay to play. If you use the streets, roads, highways, freeways… PAY to use them.

      Report Post » TedsOfBeverlyHills  
  • randy
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:19pm

    You just try to put a GPS in my Car.
    Come on I @#$%^& Dare you!

    Report Post » randy  
  • historyguy48
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:17pm

    Comrades Progressive Insurance is already doing this so they can jack up your insurance bill, I mean so they can charge unsafe drivers properly!

    Report Post » historyguy48  
    • ccprotect
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 10:42pm

      there latest comecial gives them away when they take over all the air waves and brodcast there opinons. Orwellion progressives.

      Report Post » ccprotect  
    • ccprotect
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 10:55pm

      Ya know; it’s hard to type while eating a calzone.

      Report Post » ccprotect  
  • PTCdweller
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:17pm

    This sounds like part of the plan to “nudge” people into living in cities instead of suburbs. More command and control over the “workers”.

    Report Post »  
  • SmarterThanTheAverageBear
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:16pm

    Leave it to those left wing liberal California loons to come up with another method to extort money from the public. What will be next, a meter on one’s butt with a charge per crap?

    Report Post » SmarterThanTheAverageBear  
  • woodyee
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:16pm

    THIS IS A TEST.

    It’s what the corrupt Leftist office holders in Sacramento want for the entire State; it’s what the corrupt Leftist office holders in Washington DC want for the ENTIRE Country.

    Vote them out of office – all of them. Now. Because by the time their little Stupid Leftist minions realize that they, too, have been screwed, it’ll be too late.

    Report Post » woodyee  
  • historyguy48
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:16pm

    Comrades could we get lucky and have evil space aliens kidnap the entire state of California? No they wouldn’t because the rest of us would tell them to keep it so California and Washington DC are both safe!

    Report Post » historyguy48  
    • woodyee
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:33pm

      I’d gladly go to Mars with the rest of California if it means saving my Country…

      …unfortunately for the rest of our Nation, Leftists are like parasites – they’re in every State, making life as miserable for everyone else as it is for their miserable selves…

      Report Post » woodyee  
  • mikegray24
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:14pm

    Tax-loving liberals and enviro-nuts will scream for this because “people that use the roads more should pay more!!!” Unfortunately, the fact will escape them that roads and associated infrastructure are supposed to be paid for via fuel taxes. We all pay those and there isn’t (nor should there be) an exemption based on income level. If you drive, you pay. And, here’s the kicker: the more you drive, the more you pay. Of course, there’s some variation based on the type of vehicle, but generally, there’s a pay-per-usage system already in place.

    Now, if they want to tell me that there’s not enough money raised from fuel taxes because they blew it all on other garbage, well that’s a different problem. And, frankly, it’s not my problem because I already paid my “fair share.”

    I‘m so glad I don’t live in California, but frankly, if they do this and it’s a success (to them) it won’t be long before the EPA or the Department of Transportation comes after all of us with GPS units in hand.

    Report Post »  
    • HotFixIt
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:53pm

      Then you have to figure the lost revenue from increased fuel efficiency and the enforced purchase of electric cars..fewer taxes collected…. the electric companies are receiving that revenue now. They have to find the new money somewhere else. The impliment change without thinking about the consequences. Also, downturn in economy, people are dringing fewer miles overall, buying less gas. I know I fill my car less often than I used to.. I plan my route to conserve where I can.

      Report Post »  
    • mikegray24
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 5:32pm

      At some point in the future, that will be a legitimate concern, but I’m guessing at this point, there probably aren’t enough electric cars or hybrids on the road to make that much of a difference. However, I could see that trend hitting San Francisco, and CA in general, already, if not much sooner, at least.

      I guess I could concede to some kind of tax on usage, if it replaced the fuel tax completely. I’m definitely a lower taxes/lower spending guy, and there’s way to much waste already to start worrying about how the roads are paid for. I say, let’s stop paying to study shrimp running on tiny treadmills, supporting the EPA, and all the other stupidity before we declare the roads in jeopardy. But all those problems aside, some kind of usage system is the most fair way to pay for roads, I just don’t want the government knowing where I go and when. That’s not their business.

      It would be simple enough in states where vehicles are inspected to take odometer readings and calculate a fee based on mileage and vehicle weight (I wouldn’t think a motorcycle and a tractor trailer cause the same wear and tear on the roads and bridges). The other states, I don’t know.

      I hate even sitting here thinking through this mess because the situation of taxing and spending in this county is so bad already that I feel annoyed even discussing alternate ways to raise revenue and which way is most fair. I have to grudgingly concede that in this case, the roads are a valid concern.

      Report Post »  
  • oldeagle101
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:10pm

    If we don‘t put a stop on this nonsense now we’ll be screwed forever..

    Report Post » oldeagle101  
  • Firesaber
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:10pm

    Just all part of tracking us and controlling Transportation, one of the goals of Communism. Read 2084 the Search for Love Hope and Faith and read the Citizens Rulebook.

    Report Post »  
  • Rayblue
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:08pm

    Just drive backwards.

    Report Post » Rayblue  
    • broper
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:17pm

      A GPS device doesn’t use wheels to measure movement. GPS doesn’t require a car… it will locate you, and then measure how far you’ve moved on foot, on a bicycle or even swimming. It determines where you are by triangulation between satellites, and uses micro timing to compute/measure your movement and speed.

      Report Post » broper  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:23pm

      Good one Rayblue.

      Backwards… just like most everything else done in San Fran.

      And remember to Vote Pelosi in 2012!!!! LOL

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • Rayblue
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:26pm

      Boy, did I miss the boat on that one.

      Report Post » Rayblue  
    • 9111315
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:32pm

      Hay, why ruin a good funny with physics!

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:33pm

      @Rayblue

      I thought it was one of your sarcastic jokes. : )

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 5:28pm

      LOL, good one.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • Rayblue
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 5:41pm

      Nope monk. I never use a GPS. I’m way behind current satellite technology.
      And I’m in the middle of two root canals and am not up to my usual over the top par.
      And to top it all off, I WAS sarcastic to the dentist and now she sprays me in the face with the water pic whenever the thought strikes her. I’ve become more careful who I insult as a result.

      Report Post » Rayblue  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 5:58pm

      @Rayblue

      Dentist…. the Root of all evil.

      If there is a hell…. my Childhood dentist is there.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • elosogrande
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:06pm

    The dopes in San Francisco voted for the corrupt politicians running their lives. Tell them to shut up and pay the price for the way they voted.

    Report Post »  
    • TheEDGE
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:33pm

      That is exactly what I say when I hear someone comment on the stench of urine that can’t go unnoticed when you walk downtown.

      Report Post » TheEDGE  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:06pm

    Commiefornia doing what Commiefornia does best: forcing residents and businesses to run screaming OUT OF THE STATE! Brilliant!

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
  • Murkman
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:05pm

    “We’re not interested in where they go.”

    Do they really think we’re that stupid?

    Report Post »  
    • TulsaYeeHaw
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:25pm

      YES. YES THEY DO.
      Yes they do.

      Report Post »  
    • formidable_foe
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:37pm

      Yes, they rely on people being either stupid or ignorant. CA is becoming more and more so every day. Where’s the ACLU on this? It will be interesting to see the position this commie outfit will take on forced GPS devices in every car. If that isn’t an invasion of our personal privacy and freedoms, I don’t know what is. If Obama gets re-elected, I don‘t think we’ll have to end up worrying about this. We’ll only have government provided public transportation in 20 years. No need to worry about even having your own personal vehicle. We can just walk down to the government outpost to pick up our soup, bread, and cheese.

      Report Post » formidable_foe  
  • Steven63
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:05pm

    If you live in SF what do you expect? On the other hand, if you live in SF you are probably a liberal and shouldn’t complain about a new tax, you should welcome it with open arms.
    .
    .
    .
    What’s that you say? Oh, OH! You only want more taxes on OTHER people to pay for YOUR government stuff? Oh okay, I understand liberalism a bit better now.

    Report Post »  
    • RLTW
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:18pm

      The other thing Bay Area commuters should remember is stay right where you are, never leave and stop infecting the rest of the world with mad cow decease, or whatever liberalism is.

      Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:03pm

    Every progressives wet dream,hell they can tax us for not buying a product, now this and it’ll spread nationwide.Anything to assert power and control over the alleged boss of politician pigs.We‘ve allowed government to run wild and we’ll pay dearly for our voter apathy.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • SREGN
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:03pm

    Absolute power in the hands of horrible people.

    Report Post »  
  • Too_Far_Gone
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 3:57pm

    Another bad joke from the pits of heII ..

    Report Post » Too_Far_Gone  
    • right-wing-waco
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:26pm

      More BIG BROTHER. Time to draw the line in the sand and tell them NO. Maybe it’s time to remove some from their offices by any means.

      Report Post »  
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