Will 'Lexus lanes' benefit the common man too?

I never thought I'd see the day when an environmental group would advocate building more highway capacity to make life easier for rich people driving gas-guzzling SUVs and sports cars.

But it's for a good cause. Environmental Defense (www.environmentaldefense.org) announced last week that it had "joined with highway and public transportation industry groups to encourage wider use of public-private partnerships to spur investment in transportation, reduce congestion, and protect the environment, noting that environmental performance and community benefit agreements could be helpful in expanding public support for mobility improvements."

They're talking about congestion pricing, which in California has been limited to "Lexus Lanes" upon which people willing to fork over as much as $8.50 (www.91expresslanes.com/tollschedules.asp) for the privilege of passing the poor proles in their idling Scions. They do this in carpool lanes especially equipped with high-speed tolling equipment. It charges your FasTrak account. There are no booths.

Full article here

EnnNorak - 6/15/2006 10:53:41 PM

+1 Boost

At the risk of offending people who don't drive, let me say that traffic congestion causes pollution and consequent health problems for all. Building "Lexus lanes" improves the economy by saving precious time, reduces pollution, and saves money by reducing fuel consumption and engine-damaging idling time. By reducing wasteful idling in traffic jams, "Lexus lanes" slow demand for gasolene and help prevent prices from rising faster than they already are.