Determinants of public support for transport taxes

We argue that different transport taxes can be described in terms of common attributes, establishing a basis for a more comprehensive model of public acceptance. The attributes are perceived effectiveness in reducing local air pollution and congestion, distributional effects, and impact on personal finances. We test a model of public acceptance, which emphasises the role of individual perceptions and expectations, across fuel taxes, road pricing and parking fees. Despite substantial variation in individual perceptions, and despite using three rather different taxes, our analysis reveals a high degree of consistency in the influence of specific attributes on public support for taxation.