The Wall Street Journal-20080206-Let-s Get Real and Help Public Transportation

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Let's Get Real and Help Public Transportation

Full Text (170  words)

Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters has her eye on the wrong problem: We are woefully short of effective public transportation ("Gas Taxes Are High Enough," op-ed, Jan. 18). The cars on the pavements would lessen if folks could use buses and trains to get to their destination.

She uses Chicago as an example. Our governor and state legislature did get money to be used for Chicago and suburban public transportation. Nevertheless, the suburban Metra trains have notified its riders that fares would be raised by 10% starting Feb. 1. And no one is questioning this arrogance.

I live in an area that is one of the fastest growing in the state of Illinois, Cary/Crystal Lake. We not only have no near access to a highway, but no public transportation, unless you wish to go downtown (Metra). Buses cost less to implement than trains. If Mary Peters wants to be effective, rather than bemoaning gridlocked roads, why doesn't she do something about it: Increase affordable public transportation.

Susan Bowers

Cary, Ill.