Indiana University Study: Mileage User Fees Face Opposition

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — An Indiana University study says legislators looking to address transportation funding challenges by charging drivers a fee for the number of miles they drive could face strong opposition.

The Herald-Times reports federal and state governments currently use money generated by a tax on fuel to build and repair roads. But that source of revenue has become insufficient, partly because of more fuel-efficient vehicles on the road.

The university's School of Public and Environmental Affairs took a look at the popularity of mileage user fees as half the states consider them.

The study of more than 2,000 Americans found that not only do opponents of mileage user fees outnumber supporters by a four-to-one ratio, but they also are more likely to take action to prevent the fees from being implemented.