Mobility Pricing Stakeholder Forum

Metropolitan Hotel, Toronto -- Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Thanks to more than 100 delegates, sponsors and speakers who attended the Transport Futures “Mobility Pricing Stakeholder Forum” on November 22nd -- our sixth conference in 3 years. Through interactive presentations, panel discussions and feedback, we continued to learn about mobility pricing with the help of our excellent keynote speakers and stakeholder representatives:

  • OECD economist Kurt Van Dender recommended that Canadian decision makers be clear about mobility pricing objectives (e.g. congestion reduction, transport infrastructure revenue); that transport policy relating to road pricing should focus on efficiency and labour markets while avoiding discussion of equity issues; and that automotive gas taxes should not be seen as a panacea for infrastructure funding as they will decline sharply due to fuel efficiency, electric vehicles and higher prices.
  • Parking professional Dennis Burns of Phoenix-based Kimley-Horn and Associates demonstrated how pricing strategies together with new technologies can enable drivers to plan for parking in advance rather than leaving the decision to the moment they arrive at their destination. This would result in far less cruising, reduced congestion and fuel savings combined with new funding for neighbourhood improvements where parking takes place.
  • Although the general public prefers taxes be hidden rather than visible (in order to avoid “hedonic pain”), Dresden University of Technology professor Jens Schade provided research showing that mobility pricing familiarity “breeds acceptance and adaptation” – especially where implementation is seen as inevitable. He also suggested that, rather than focus on time savings that are “too abstract” for most drivers, pricing advocates must have a transparent discussion of issues relating to efficiency gains, beneficiary pay, privacy and government trust.
  • Founding Metrolinx CEO Michael Fenn began his mobility pricing reality check with two words: “mission impossible” but quickly followed with five more: “don’t sell the flight, sell the beach”. The “beach” would include efficiency, revenue generation, cost/benefit distribution amongst constituencies and growth/sustainable development.
  • Stakeholder panelists from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Canadian Automobile Association, Ontario Good Roads Association, Toronto Board of Trade and Toronto Star were (surprisingly!) in general agreement about the need for a regional strategy on mobility pricing. However, they differed on whether the general public are ready to accept more comprehensive tolls, parking fees and gas taxes; how revenues should be allocated to transport infrastructure; and how a grassroots movement could be created in support of mobility pricing.

Over 85% of our delegates told us that the Forum met their expectations and almost 80% said it was excellent value for money. A few compliments we received:

  • “A valuable conference with a high concentration of learning.”
  • “Good, focussed discussion.”
  • “Price point is good - affordable and reasonable. Content and speakers well-sourced.”
  • “Best conference yet!”

For those unable to attend in person, Transport Futures generated some great media coverage:

Looking forward to 2012, we are now planning for Transport Futures community workshops that replicate our hotel proceedings. There will also be two mobility pricing conferences, one taking place outside Toronto. Webinars are also being explored as a way to keep our discussion on track between major events. Please contact us if you’d like to become involved as a partner, advisor or participant in any of these initiatives -- or have any other feedback to provide. We look forward to hearing from you!