Metrolinx Toronto: 25 potential tools to fund transit-transportation infrastructure

A study has been conducted by AECOM KPMG, Big Move Implementation Economics: Revenue Tool Profiles, on the potential of various methods for funding infrastructure expansion in the Toronto region.  The report provides an evaluation of 25 different funding methods.

From the Toronto Star article "The Big Move: A sneak peek at Metrolinx’s short list of ‘revenue tools’ for expanded transit":

The report ... looked at 24 potential money-makers and ranked them by criteria such as their sustained money-making potential, cost of implementation, and whether they might result in positive changes to commuting habits.

Not all the short-listed ideas will make it into the final investment strategy Metrolinx submits to the province in June. That’s when the agency gives Queen’s Park its final recommendations for raising $2 billion annually for the next 25 years — the amount estimated in Metrolinx’s 25-year, $50-billion Big Move regional transportation plan. But the short-list will form the basis for the final phase of public discussions before then. The provincial agency plans to run its list by more than 100 key community and business groups it will meet with through May.

The potential methods:

• Auto Insurance Tax
• Car Rental Fee
• Carbon Tax
• Cordon Charge
• Corporate Income Tax
• Development Charges
• Driver’s License Tax
• Employer Payroll Tax
• Fare Increases
• Fuel Tax
• High Occupancy Tolls
• Highway Tolls
• Hotel & Accommodation Levy
• Income Tax
• Land Transfer Tax
• Land Value Capture
• New Vehicle Sales Tax
• Parking Sales Tax
• Parking Space Levy
• Property Tax
• Sales Tax
• Tax Increment Financing (Special Assessment Districts)
•  Utility Levy
• Vehicles Kilometres Travelled Fee
• Vehicle Registration Fee

Also see the Toronto Star article "Metrolinx transit tools rejected by 51 per cent: Poll."
-- Big Move campaign website, Metrolinx
-- Big Move campaign interactive exercise
-- Toronto Board of Trade Let's Get the Region Moving advertising campaign to support more funding
-- DISCUSSION PAPER | A Green Light To Moving The Toronto Region: Paying For Public Transportation Expansion

Some day I hope to put together a similar report on best practices in parking and curbspace management.  Having this kind of comprehensive list in one place is very useful.  Rarely are all these techniques listed in one document, let alone considered and discussed in the context of a metropolitan, regional, or state transportation project funding.