WE ALL WANT to get where we're going in a reasonable amount of time. Strip away the politics and policy, and that's the essence of the average citizen's expectation about transportation. We just want dependable service.
Unfortunately, the state transportation system is focused on a long list of projects, procuring construction services, and disbursing funds. These are important tasks, but what about a strategy that focuses on customers?
Consider these questions: Does the state know if highway congestion has improved over the past five years? Does it know how much has been spent on transportation projects? The answer to the first is that it does not. The state has never measured congestion in a comprehensive and consistent manner.
But it does know - to the penny - how many billions the Commonwealth has spent on transportation projects in the past five years.
The fact is, the "system" is focused on inputs (money) and not the people it serves. Pouring more money into that system without changing this focus is a huge mistake.
Before they credibly (and successfully) demand new revenues, state transportation agencies must demonstrate to consumers that they can improve service, and not just spend money running through project lists.
The building blocks are already there. Legislative reforms in 2004 and 2008 took significant steps toward implementing a comprehensive series of performance measurements. Recent proposals from the governor and the Senate retain these measures. The governor's proposal goes so far as to create an office of performance measurement.
What remains is the hard part - truly embedding this approach in the day-to-day management of the state's transportation agencies. That means more than reporting numbers. It means using them to change the way they do business.
With that in place, a discussion of the gas tax might then be more plausible. Reforms must cover some of the estimated $15 billion to $19 billion in transportation needs over the next 20 years.
Additional revenues will be required, but the governor's proposed gas tax increase of 19 cents, or $600 million annually, is too much too soon.
The current transportation governance system cannot simultaneously restructure itself and efficiently absorb these funds. A large pot of unspent new revenues is a tempting target for diversion to other programs or for allocation to lower-priority items that can absorb funding more rapidly.
Due to cynicism engendered by the Big Dig, people are rightly skeptical of the state's ability to spend its transportation dollars effectively. If a massive infusion of funds ends up even partially misspent, it will preclude the Commonwealth from transportation infrastructure investments for a generation.
Considering these facts, we suggest, as a starting point, a modest 6.5 cent increase in the gas tax. By implementing performance measurement and demonstrating progress to users, transportation leaders can make the case that new investment is making a difference.
To build public confidence, we also need sacrifice, in the shape of reform and reallocated revenues, from the executive branch, the Legislature, and public-sector unions. For example, the public cannot be expected to pay more if we still fund employee payroll through long-term borrowing.
Nor should drivers be expected to pay more if the governor cannot limit the state's appetite for new infrastructure. The first order of business must be to address the transportation system's deferred maintenance. The Legislature should therefore reject the governor's proposed prioritization of heavy rail expansion over maintenance at the MBTA and over statewide road and bridge repair projects.
The Senate and the governor have both put forward strong reform proposals. Building on these reforms by implementing performance measurement and accountability will help the public understand what they are getting for any gas tax increase.
But on the gas tax increase, the state should go slow. Doing too much, too fast will reduce the urgency of reform and risk compromising the public's already-fragile trust in the transportation system.
Steve Poftak is research director at the Pioneer Institute and author of "Getting There: Transportation Reform in 2009." 
