Vous ecrivez tres bien en anglais.
I think that you are probably correct. In the same sense, the cost of food
(and every other product or service) is also regressive. However, this does
not mean that we should abandon fuel taxes, since they do help achieve some
social and transportation goals.
Perhaps the problem is one of terminology. By calling it "a tax", there is
some implication as to whether it is fair or not. If we label it more
properly as "a user fee" to help offset the costs that motor vehicles impose
on the rest of society and on the environment, then the questions of
fairness ("regressive") disappear. Of course, there are lots of studies
around showing that even the high (by North American standards) fuel taxes
charged in Europe do not fully pay for these costs.
--------------
Colin R. Leech
All opinions personal
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http://www.octranspo.com
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Darbera [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 7:05 AM
> To: 'Universities Transport Study Group'
> Subject: Are petrol taxes regressive?
>
> I suspect road fuel taxes to be regressive. I believe this issue is
> probably well documented. Unfortunately I could not find any data breaking
> down house-hold expenditure on transport by household income class.
>
> I would very much like to have this data for the UK, or for London, or for
> any European country. Does anyone know where I could get it?
>
> Thank you. (and sorry for my approximate English)
>
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