Stockholm Moves Forward

Yesterday marks the end of a six month trial period for a sophisticated (3.8 billion kronor, about 250 million CAD) traffic taxing system. Following in the footsteps of London, and other major cities, Stockholm setup a taxing system for cars entering the city center. Although it brought in less revenue than expected, it is still being considered a success, as city centre traffic has decreased by between 20-25% and transit has seen an increased ridership of about 74,000, comparing this June to last. At the same time, they've actually reduced the fares here in Stockholm (whhhaaaaaaaaaa....?) to encourage the use of transit. Toronto. You listening? For a metropolis of over 5 million people, Toronto's transit system is garbage. Expensive garbage at that. The Stockholm system will be voted on by the public in September, when the nation goes to the polls to decide on their local and national representatives. The vote is expected to favour the taxing. Sadly, I think the majority of Torontonians would likely vote against such a proposal. The last thing drivers want is a tax, and the last thing transit riders want is more transit riders. And believe me, there's already too many of both.