BIKE: Is TxDOT really as stupid as they seem?

[Jeb Boyt]

Actually, we have seen people respond to sustained price increases by 
purchasing more fuel efficient cars.  Similarly, over the sustained drop in 
oil prices during the 90s, people moved into less fuel efficient SUVs, 
pick-ups, and other vehicles.  There is a large opportunity for conservation 
just in moving people to more fuel efficient vehicles.

Jeb


----Original Message Follows----
From: "Byrnes, Rick" <rick.byrnes>
To: forum-bicycleaustin.info
Subject: RE: BIKE: Is TxDOT really as stupid as they seem?
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 15:13:09 -0600

I am not at all convinced that bond default will be in the picture.   I
don't like autos either, but I will play devil's advocate.  Let's not be so
confident of future trends.
Although the prices for fossil fuels may escalate over the long term,  the
price rises must be enormous before they impact consumption and driving
habits.  (We've seen price jumps in the recent past which have had very
little effect on driving.)
We're talking long-term here.
Development of fuel alternatives  - in the long run - could provide
sufficient numbers of those vehicles to offset declines in gasoline-powered
vehicles.
If toll road usage does drop, they could and probably will increase toll
fees until the income is satisfactory.
Furthermore the state could and probably would jump in one way or another,
to prevent a default.  It is in the state's best interest to maintain
fiscally sound local road authorities.

r.b.


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