Tax incentives could encourage conversions. Further, the government could also, through tax exemptions, encourage alternative blended fuels if they can be shown to reduce both pollution and greenhouse gases. New technology is the area where the most useful gains can be made in minimizing the impact of transportation on the environment. The federal government has a role to play in introducing ecological fiscal reform. Prof. Soberman focused his remarks on the need to rethink transportation policy to address growing concerns about congestion, the public health impacts of automobile use, road safety, urban sprawl, and the high cost of public transportation.
Government has to show leadership to reduce the dependence on less efficient transportation.
Prof. Soberman concluded that the government should tax inefficient users, provide tax incentives for public transit, contribute to integrated planning and development, and provide support for environmentally friendlier transportation. The TTC has the highest cost recovery of any urban transit city in North America. At the same time, auto and SUV users enjoy subsidies. Sustainability for freight transportation requires more use of rail rather than trucks. In order to reduce dependence on the automobile, many things will have to change.