Podcast: Subsidizing Congestion With Commuter Tax Benefits
This week we’re joined by Tony Dutzik of the Frontier Group and Steven Higashide of TransitCenter to discuss their new report, "Who Pays for Parking?" - an incisive critique of federal commuter tax benefits.
By
Jeff Wood
3:09 PM EDT on October 9, 2017
This week we’re joined by Tony Dutzik of the Frontier Group and Steven Higashide of TransitCenter to discuss their new report, “Who Pays for Parking?” The report is an incisive critique of federal commuter tax benefits — specifically the parking benefit, a $7.3 billion annual subsidy that mainly adds incentive for high earners to drive to work in the most congested cities at the most congested times of day.
We discuss the origins of these parking tax subsidies, who benefits from them, and which cities are taking a different approach to parking incentives.
More from Streetsblog New York City
Brooklyn Crash Victim’s EMT Twin Sister Calls Out City, DSNY for Reckless Driving
"The autopsy report says it was from blunt force trauma. Clearly, that's 1,000s of pounds of pressure that hit her. So how fast were you turning?"
October 30, 2026
Dangerous Drivers At ‘Trunk-Or-Treat’ Show How Cars Are A Horror For Kids All Year Long
Halloween is scary fun for kids — the other 364 days of the year are just scary. And that's why Trunk-or-Treat isn't a half-bad idea!
October 30, 2026
An Interview with the Biggest Cycling Club in New York City
Streetsblog chatted with five members of the New York Cycle Club about Central Park.
October 30, 2026
Our Central Park Wishlist: Perimeter and Transverse Bike Lanes, Fewer Cars and — Yes — Some Speed Limits
What is to be done in the city's most-famous park? We offer some concrete ideas.
October 30, 2026
Friday’s Headlines: Streetsfilms Meets the War on Cars Edition
Tickets are still on sale to see the War on Cars Podcast live and Clarence Eckerson's "Close Encounters of the 34th Avenue Kind" in one night. Plus the news.
October 30, 2026