San Diego County’s transportation leaders removed a proposed mileage tax for drivers, which sparked much controversy throughout the region.
If passed, the tax would have cost drivers four cents for every mile driven. The proposal is a part of the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) $162.5 billion transportation blueprint approved late last year by elected officials to boost transit services while limiting car travel through 2050.
The board’s action was spearheaded by SANDAG boardmember and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, who cited its unpopularity among San Diegans. SANDAG'S transportation plan aimed to provide public transit at no cost over the next 30 years and build an extensive regional rail network.
“I cannot support the concept of charging people to drive when we don’t have viable transit or other alternatives to offer those who are already struggling with high rents, high utility rates, and everything else,” he said at Friday’s public hearing.
The proposal’s removal is temporary, according to Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey, who sits on the board of directors.
"These plans take several years to adopt…that is why although we’re removing the road usage charge from the 2021 plan, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if we see other road usage charges included in the 2025 plan," said Bailey.
SANDAG staff will work over the next year to perform an updated environmental analysis to bring to the board for final adoption. If the agency does not reduce per capita driving by 2035, it may lose the support of the California Air Resources Control Board.
The agency specifically hoped to complete a series of projects through 2025, including capitalizing on the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill approved by Congress last year to finish double tracking the coastal rail corridor along Interstate 5.
