Congestion pricing comes to L.A.

In a major shift in philosophy, L.A. transit leaders today agreed to develop plans for toll roads in the county within three years.

The decision by the MTA board of directors comes amid criticism that Los Angeles remains one of the few metropolitan areas in the country not to experiment with so-called congestion pricing, in which motorists are charged to use certain roads based on the amount of traffic.

Last month, the county lost out on a major federal grant because it did not have any congestion pricing programs in the works. London and New York have both garnered headlines for efforts to charge motorists who drive into those cities during rush hour. Closer to home, both Orange County and San Diego County have toll roads and so-called HOT (high-occupancy toll) lanes in which motorists pay based on the amount of congestion.

Traditionally, L.A. officials have been cool to congestion pricing, with critics using the term "Lexus lanes,"  referring to the rich who they say take money away from rail and bus services. But the county’s worsening traffic -- and the need for more transit project revenue -- has changed some minds. "At some point, we have to reduce the number of single-passenger automobiles if we want to reduce gridlock in L.A. County," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. No specific projects have been identified.

-- Rong-Gong Lin II

Comments

[RIA]

Think the affluent will really give a damn about a little 'ole congestion fee? Once again it's the most financially strapped that will feel it the most.

Law requiring Angelinos to drive alternate days/times and car pool (no more one person to a vehicle during rush hours) - that would make a diff. A congestion fee alone in LA is about as effective in its purpose as having terrorists sign a note saying they'll make nice.

[Pete McFerrin]

Huzzah!

The AAA line about "your gas taxes already paid for these roads" is nonsense. Gas taxes 40 years ago built the freeways. Per-gallon surcharges would have to be twice what they are now in order to equal the purchasing power that gas taxes had back in the '70s.

It's ridiculous that in what is supposedly the most capitalist nation on earth, we insist on the unpriced provision of road and parking space, and that shortages be resolved solely through expansion of supply rather than allowing price increases to clear the market.

[Anthony Fernandez]

It can't come here soon enough. The first victim should be: the Hollywood Freeway (just the 101 portion). There's already a subway to serve that area, imagine the numbers if we made people pay to go on that freeway (but I guess we wouldn't call it a freeway anymore, would we?).

[Chris]

I was in London 2 weeks ago, they have a congestion tax which was around 8 pounds.

That's $16/day for you George!