A dangerous precedent
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I just finished reading an article in the Fremont Argus newspaper discussing the Valley Transportation Authority's announcement that they will convert the carpool lanes on the ramps from Highway 880 to Highway 237 into toll lanes in 2009-2010. Solo drivers will have to pay a fee to drive through this highway ramp interchange when using the carpool lanes -- which they can only do if they purchase a FasTrak transponder that will electronically debit their account (credit card or checking) for this toll. Carpoolers and drivers with carpool stickers will still be able to use these lanes free, and there will be no toll for those who choose to use the "regular" traffic lanes on this interchange.
Needless to say, I was floored by this idea. It not only smacks of economic discrimination (poor people won't be able to pay the toll to get the same reward as rich drivers), and leaves users open to government prying into their private financial accounts, but most importantly, it undermines the idea of a carpool lane to begin with! Carpool lanes were designed to reward drivers for doubling/tripling up on passengers during peak commute hours, all in an effort to spare the air quality and to reduce the number of cars on the road. Now the state wants to allow people with economic advantage the opportunity to by-pass this idea entirely -- for a nominal fee, of course.
Now, I realize that California needs money desperately. I acknowledge the fact that my state has a major debt problem, and that road maintenance is a big part of the picture. However, the VTA's cheap-and-dirty solution here will only accomplish more traffic backups (as previous carpoolers/public transit users will decide instead to take their own vehicles for similar conveniences), and it will also generate more negative environmental impacts to air quality. To solve a short term deficit, the VTA is proposing a band-aid fix that will end up costing taxpayers more in the long run (between more money spent on CalTrans projects to fix the faster road deterioration, and more money spent on hiring health care providers as a result of increased lung ailments and cancers). That's what's termed a, "poorly conceived revenue generator" in economic forecasting, folks.
If you're as disturbed by this as I am, and you live in California, perhaps you might do as I did: go to the VTA's website and leave them feedback about this plan!
Needless to say, I was floored by this idea. It not only smacks of economic discrimination (poor people won't be able to pay the toll to get the same reward as rich drivers), and leaves users open to government prying into their private financial accounts, but most importantly, it undermines the idea of a carpool lane to begin with! Carpool lanes were designed to reward drivers for doubling/tripling up on passengers during peak commute hours, all in an effort to spare the air quality and to reduce the number of cars on the road. Now the state wants to allow people with economic advantage the opportunity to by-pass this idea entirely -- for a nominal fee, of course.
Now, I realize that California needs money desperately. I acknowledge the fact that my state has a major debt problem, and that road maintenance is a big part of the picture. However, the VTA's cheap-and-dirty solution here will only accomplish more traffic backups (as previous carpoolers/public transit users will decide instead to take their own vehicles for similar conveniences), and it will also generate more negative environmental impacts to air quality. To solve a short term deficit, the VTA is proposing a band-aid fix that will end up costing taxpayers more in the long run (between more money spent on CalTrans projects to fix the faster road deterioration, and more money spent on hiring health care providers as a result of increased lung ailments and cancers). That's what's termed a, "poorly conceived revenue generator" in economic forecasting, folks.
If you're as disturbed by this as I am, and you live in California, perhaps you might do as I did: go to the VTA's website and leave them feedback about this plan!