Abstract
This paper discusses the economics and politics of efficient prices for transport services. The paper starts with a brief description of efficient prices and some reasons why politicians, in Australia as elsewhere, are reluctant to adopt them. It then discusses two main issues. Firstly, how strong are the arguments for efficient transport prices? Secondly, if they are viewed as strong, how should efficient prices be promoted? Recognising the number of papers on road pricing at this conference, as well as the continuing topicality of this subject, the paper focuses mainly on road pricing. But the paper emphasises that roads are not an isolated example of political reluctance to adopt efficient transport prices. (A)