The Wall Street Journal-20080129-Real Transportation Policy Should Come Before Taxes

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Real Transportation Policy Should Come Before Taxes

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Regarding the Jan. 18 op-ed, "Gas Taxes Are High Enough," by Mary E. Peters, Secretary of Transportation: How refreshing. A real visionary. Using innovation, technology, local control and market forces to mitigate a national surface transportation problem.

She has a vision of mobility that should be supported.

Andrew W. Schellhammer

Scottsdale, Ariz.

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If I follow Sec. Peters's logic, those driving a hybrid or higher efficiency fuel vehicles will pay, via an "electronic tolling" charge, the same for traveling down a highway as someone driving a gas- guzzling SUV? How dumb do you think we are? Let's tax those who will pay for the privilege of cruising solo down the highway in their Escalade or Hummer. They can pick up the lion's share of the cost to maintain our nation's roads, bridges and highways. A 40-cent a gallon tax is just what the high-carbon footprint citizen needs to wake up to the fact that cheap gas is gone forever. Apparently higher gas taxes haven't done anything to reduce traffic congestion. Well, duh, maybe they just aren't high enough yet. Instead of pouring more wasted billions into the expansion of more roads and subsidies for airlines, let's get out of the 18th century and finally get serious about funding a world-class rail system on par with Europe, Japan and even emerging nations like China.

Most major European cities were built before the invention of the automobile. It's too late to undo the massive sprawl that dominates much of this country. Our choice is clear: Use the most efficient tools to move people from one place to another and evolve as a nation.

Chuck Cotten

Sunnyvale, Calif.