MTA to Los Angeles: You need more traffic
According to the Los Angeles Times, there's apparently a movement afoot to install toll mechanisms on the previously free and glorious carpool lanes that extend across L.A. county's myriad highways. The thinking is that drivers should pay for the luxurious privilege of a reduced traffic lane, especially at peak times when the fares will increase. Those not willing to pony up (a high number of drivers, I imagine) will have to remain with the general population, which of course means increased congestion for the vast majority of commuters. The MTA reasons that with miserly and impecunious drivers effectively phased back into the hoi polloi, those that are willing to part with a bit of cash will have an even easier drive, what with the carpool lanes even more desolate and 1989-Dodge-Caravan-free. This just leads to one question: has the MTV even played SimCity??? You can't hate on the citizens like that!
Carpoolers' free ride may be over [Los Angeles Times via Franklin Avenue]
Of course, business is business, and every company or government bureau has a right to seek profits wherever possible, blah blah blah. This idea, however, is absolutely idiotic. While yes, it will benefit a small population of those who are willing to pay money (like non-everyday commuters), the overall effect is that it's just going to clog the regular lanes even further. The whole point of the HOV lane is to ease congestion/save the environment/be wonderful, and this new plan espouses none of those ideals. It is merely a reward system for those willing to donate to the MTA and Caltrans, existing solely to raise revenues, not to help Los Angeles's debilitating traffic problems. The MTA needs funding, sure, but not at the expense of the congestion it's supposed to be easing. Gosh, I'm already on strike with the WGA, and AFTRA looks like it might be acting up soon. The last thing I need is a THIRD cause to be activist-y about. This is totally against my world outlook!
4 Glorious Comments
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either I'm, a computer idiot, or your site isn't working correctly. All I see is the top 1/16 of the page, so I can only click on the most recent post.
When they put the toll road in Orange County they expected a certain amount of revenue. But not enough people were using the road to meet their expectations so they increased the toll for those that were using it. Thereby driving even more people NOT to use it. Based on this logic one day there will be only one dude driving on it for $100,000 toll.
Morons.
oh and your site works fine for me.
hb
The site is working with IE, but when I use Opera browser it only shows a tiny portion of the page. Use this information as you please.
Thanks for the feedback. I'll try to get it fixed, but since my technical know-how is limited, it may take a while...