[Peakoil] Fwd: [Greens-Media] *Media Release: RACQ Congestion Charge on the Right Road*

[Antony Barry]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Qld Greens Media <media at qld.greens.org.au>
> Date: 4 September 2006 10:33:35 AM
> To: undisclosed-recipients: ;
> Subject: [Greens-Media] *Media Release: RACQ Congestion Charge on  
> the Right Road*
>
> *Media Release: RACQ Congestion Charge on the Right Road*
>
>
> *The RACQ's support for the Greens’ policy of a traffic congestion  
> charge is welcome, according to North Brisbane Greens candidates  
> Larissa Waters (Brisbane Central), James White (Aspley), Justin  
> Wells (Clayfield) and Sam Clifford (Stafford).*
>
>
> “The RACQ is recommending a congestion tax on peak hour traffic  
> traveling in the CBD in order to discourage people from driving.  
> This is an essential part of the Greens’ policy for North Brisbane  
> and we welcome the support of the RACQ on this initiative. The BCC  
> and State government would do well to study the many overseas  
> success stories, rather than reject the idea out of hand as  
> Transport Minister has done this morning,” the candidates said.
>
> "The money raised, however, shouldn't be used on more bypasses.  
> Brisbane should follow Singapore’s lead, with congestion charges  
> used to finance more frequent public transport services to further  
> encourage people to get out of their cars and into buses and  
> trains,” said Clayfield candidate Justin Wells, a noted sustainable  
> transport campaigner.
>
> "With the funds for the $3 billion NSBT and associated TransApex  
> cost blowouts, Brisbane could be extending rail services to Ripley  
> Valley, creating and servicing cross-city bus routes and running  
> trains more frequently.”
>
> "We don't need expensive bypasses and tunnels; as they will not  
> solve any of Brisbane’s traffic congestion problems. By getting  
> people out of their cars, congestion charges are a proven way to  
> prevent our cities from becoming those who absolutely need to make  
> the trip in a car will be able to do so, sharing a clearer road  
> with fast, full, comfortable and modern buses,” public  
> environmental lawyer Larissa Waters added.
>
> “The Greens’ idea of a congestion tax gives commuters a real  
> incentive to take public transport, especially if the user charge  
> ends up being higher than the cost of a daily ticket. We already  
> use taxes and user pays excises to reduce what is deemed to be  
> harmful behaviour in order to fund what we deem beneficial. The  
> gambling fund, cigarette and beer excises are all examples of  
> raising revenue to tackle the problems they cause. Why not do the  
> same with transport?" Stafford candidate Sam Clifford asked.
>
>
> The Greens’ transport policy, released during the first week of the  
> campaign, calls for the application of travel demand-management  
> mechanisms such as restructuring of registration charges to  
> significantly advantage high fuel economy, alternative fuel and  
> hybrid vehicles; and congestion pricing via electronic road  
> charging, toll rings and higher parking charges. The Greens would  
> mitigate the impact of a congestion charge on the poor by using the  
> funds raised for fare discounting on public transport for lower  
> income groups.
>
>
> *Justin Wells (0423 119 660) Larissa Waters (0421 844 280) James  
> White (0427 828 675) Sam Clifford (0422 987 070) #ENDS*
>
> -- 
> www.qld.greens.org.au
>
> State election Spokesperson. Juanita Wheeler 0402 487 110
>
> Queensland Greens media spokespeople.
>
> Climate Change and Indigenous. Drew Hutton 0428 487 110
> Human Rights and Environment. Juanita Wheeler 0402 487 110
> Transport and Planning. Greg George 0424 725 719
>
> Queensland Greens campaign coordinator.
> Ian Gittus 0422 542 370
>
> Office 3846 0862
> fax 3844 4654
>
> www.qld.greens.org.au
>
> -- 
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