Find solution that leads to fewer cars on road
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YVONNE ABRAHAM makes a good point that drivers west of Boston are carrying more than their fair share of the Big Dig's cost by having to pay tolls on the Mass. Pike ("No more free rides," Metro, Nov. 19). I agree that a gas tax would spread the burden more evenly to every driver, and it should be imposed as soon as possible. But I urge state government to keep the Mass. Pike tolls, and furthermore, impose tolls on vehicles entering the city from the north and south. The tolls are the only so-called congestion charge that Boston has. Reducing the number of cars sitting in traffic in downtown Boston would improve air quality and lessen the frustration drivers feel when they are stopped dead at places like Berkeley Street and Leverett Circle. Revenue from such tolls should be applied to subways and commuter rail costs as well as road upkeep.
I predict that Abraham and her fellow drivers from the west would have a better commute if they were sipping their coffee and reading their Globe on the train or, when they had to drive, cruising along unclogged Mass. Pike lanes.
By the way, the cost of the Big Dig now looks like a bargain compared to bailing out
Karen Cord Taylor
Boston
