HENRY LEE's analysis of skyrocketing gas prices - demand is high, but supply is low - is on the money.
Over the past 20 years, when gas was cheap, we built far-flung subdivisions, big-box shopping centers, and other car-dependent places like there was no tomorrow. Because of this, many of us live in a drive-only landscape, where we must burn gas even to reach a transit stop, if one exists. And the transit systems that do exist are having a hard time keeping up with the rising demand for gas-free transportation.
To reduce gas prices, we need to solve our nation's transportation crisis. This will require us to keep pace with demands for high-speed trains, light-rail lines, and rapid and conventional bus transit. We need to make more of our streets safe and convenient for walking and biking to work, school, shops, and transit stops. We have to create incentives for developers to invest in suburbs and urban centers, to meet the huge demand for affordable homes in convenient locations. If given a real choice, Americans would rather invest in well-located real estate than in gasoline.
DAVID GOLDBERG
Communications director
Transportation for America
Washington
