By now you may have heard of Metro's plans to push congestion pricing on drivers in L.A.
While the city's freeways and roads are certainly packed to the limit, charging people more to drive seems like a horrible idea and would make the already stressful commutes worse.
Transportation officials are alleging the congestion on LA roads has given politicians no choice but to contemplate charging motorists more to drive, the LA Times reports.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is throwing ideas around in order to see how congestion charges could work by suggesting converting carpool lanes to toll lanes, taxing drivers based on the number of miles they travel, or charging a fee to enter certain neighborhoods and business districts.
Metro claims that by imposing tolls, more drivers would get off the road- "freeing up space to speed up bus service."
But in a county where majority of the population rely on their cars for daily commutes, it would take a brave politician to support the notion and stand up to angry drivers.
Metro’s board of directors will be asked to approve a study and assemble a panel of experts to examine how congestion pricing would work. Metros ultimate goal is to complete 28 highway projects with the funds from congestion pricing by the time the 2028 Summer Olympic Games roll around.
“This is the eradication of congestion,” Metro Chief Executive Phil Washington said. “This is sending out a message to the world that Los Angeles County is doing something about its traffic.”
The 110 and 10 freeways are already experiencing a modest form of congestion charging where drivers who are alone in their cars can pay by the mile to use carpool lanes - reaching an almost $20 or more for a one-way trip.
Could the 101 and 5 freeways be next?
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