A Clear Choice

To the Editor:

Two important state-level developments late last month will have a major impact on the local community. The first is the agreement between the Mayor and state leaders to continue serious consideration of congestion pricing. The second was the proposal by the MTA to hike fares.

All of us have a hard choice to make here.

We can either choose Option A, congestion pricing, which would force a small number of drivers to pay a fee to drive into Manhattan (during peak weekday hours) while reducing traffic, improving the quality of the air, sharply reducing the need for MTA fare hikes and paying for massive public transportation improvements. Option B, the MTA fare hike, which would require all mass transit riders to pay higher fares without reducing traffic, improving air quality or providing more and better mass transit options.

Because no New Yorker wants to pay more for anything if possible, some elected officials are suggesting an Option C exists, the "you can have it all" option, where no additional fees are imposed and everything else stays the same. The unfortunate truth is that such an option does not exist and every politician knows it.

So we are left with a tough choice to make. Do we prefer Option A, "congestion pricing with benefits," or Option B, "MTA fare hikes without benefits." The choice is up to each individual, but every one of us owes it to ourselves and our communities to reach a personal decision and to make sure that opinion is heard. So I invite all readers to consider their options, to reach a decision, and then to call or e-mail their local City Councilmember, State Assemblyperson and State Senator to tell you want them to make your decision their decision.

PAUL STEELY WHITE,
Executive Director, Transportation Alternatives