How to Fund Road Maintenance

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has been exploring alternatives to the state gas tax that will finance the road work we need. Fewer drivers are paying this fuel tax, as they ditch their combustion engines in favor of cleaner cars. The problem will worsen as California closes in on the year 2035 when a ban on the sale of new gas-powered vehicles takes effect.

On average, Californians shell out about $300 a year in state gas taxes, raising about $8 billion annually to support 80% of road repair and maintenance. By comparison, zero-emission vehicle drivers like me pay a $100 annual DMV fee to help make up for not paying into the road fund. Estimates show there could be a $4.4 billion shortfall in a decade because of dwindling gas tax revenue.

The good news is, we see this coming and we have time to find a solution. There have already been two pilot programs trying out some ideas, but a third one is about to get under way, and Caltrans needs 800 volunteers statewide to be part of it. Road Charge Program participants will be compensated up to $400 in gift cards. Sign up now through the end of June at caroadcharge.com.

The road charge is an innovative funding mechanism allowing drivers to support road and highway maintenance based on how many miles they drive instead of how many gallons of gas they use. The more they drive, the more they pay. It’s just like electricity bills, which are calculated by how much power is used. A “user pay” system for transportation funding ensures that all drivers pay their fair share of keeping our streets in good condition.

To qualify for the six-month pilot program, participants must:

• Be a California resident who is at least 18 years old.

• Drive a non-commercial passenger vehicle, including electric or hybrid models.

• Have internet access, a valid email address, phone number and mailing address.

• Have a valid credit or debit card.

• Agree to report mileage and pay the monthly road charge.

Caltrans is looking for a wide array of people, so acceptance is not guaranteed. To ensure good data, it wants a diversified group, varying in location, income level, vehicle type, travel patterns and more. The agency will choose the volunteers in July, at which time they will be asked to register online and select a method for reporting their miles driven.

While Caltrans has conducted similar pilot programs before, this year’s trial run will be the first time participants will actually send in money to the state. Previous programs only simulated payments. This will give officials a chance to see the risks and challenges in the collection of road charges before the agency moves further with the new funding option.

The pilot program will start in August when people will drive like they usually do and pay their monthly road charges online. The per-mile charge is still being finalized by an advisory committee, but it will likely be 2.9-cents a mile. In addition to the per-mile group, some of the volunteers will be paying a flat monthly fee that is also yet to be determined. Another group’s bill will be based on their vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

The test period wraps up in January, marking the end of the research stage. If applicable, participants will receive a gas or EV credit, to ensure they were not double-taxed. The results will then be reported back to the legislature, which will be tasked with finding a way to ensure California has adequate funds to fix and maintain our roads and highways. It is vital to our economy that our roads be in good condition because that’s how goods are transported and how many of us get to and from our jobs.

Phil Ting represents the 19th Assembly District, which includes the west side of San Francisco along with the communities of Broadmoor, Colma and Daly City as well as part of South San Francisco.