Pro-Rating Tollway Trips

Your June 28 article on boosting the use of the San Joaquin Hills toll road makes mention of the fact that the cost is $2 for driving the full 15 miles. That doesn’t sound so bad, but how about the people--like me--who live at the El Toro Road entrance and have to pay $2 to go to Newport Beach, one exit away?

It seems to me that is a little expensive. My suggestion is that they pro-rate trips. Most toll roads I have used give you a ticket when you enter. When you exit, you pay according to how far you have traveled. This seems a fair way of charging.

There could also be a reduced rate for off-peak travel. This would encourage use of the road at the times when the commuters are at work.

I resent having to pay the same $2, on the very rare occasions that I have used the road, as the people who enter in San Juan Capistrano. I think a more equitable fee schedule would equal immediately increased usage.

LUCILLE COOPER

Laguna Hills