But isn't our current system--a combination gas taxes, vehicle registration, and general tax funds--a reasonable way to hedge against free riders? It sets a kind of low and high bar for usage. There are a number of examples outside of transportation that use this type of hybrid model (public universities, for one). I think they work better in some areas than others. I would agree if you said that many of these public subsidies (for transportation, e.g.) can work to the benefit of corporations at the expense of payers. It would be an interesting world if the price of a t-shirt at a big box store included the full cost of shipping as well as workers' heath care and housing. I don't know if that world would be better or worse for more people on average.