Taking the 'free' out of freeway

In Tim Rutten's column "Diamond Lanes for the Rich," he writes about what is and will continue to be a very controversial decision by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Board of Directors. As a longtime resident, Rutten's thoughts are extremely valuable and certainly contribute positively to public discussion regarding the matter. The core of his argument seems to be the idea that congestion pricing unfairly affects those least unable to afford the additional cost of using what currently is a free service.

By Michael Eshleman

April 30, 2008