Commuter Action Group Hails Governor Malloy’s Call for Tolls & Gas Taxes to Fund Transportation

The Commuter Action Group is hailing the announcement by Governor Malloy in support of new funding sources for the state’s Special Transportation Fund.

“Metro-North riders have been paying more than their fair share for using mass transit,” said CAG Founder Jim Cameron. “Now it’s time for motorists to help pay for the maintenance of the roads they drive on.”

“Tolls are no more a “tax” than fares on Metro-North are a tax. They are a user fee. If you don’t want to pay a few pennies more for gasoline or a small toll for the privilege of driving on I-95 at rush hour, take the train and instead pay the highest commuter rail fares in the US.”

“The Connecticut legislature created this deficit crisis in the Special Transportation Fund starting in 1997 when they pandered their way into the hearts of voters with a 14 cent cut in the gasoline tax. The idea was popular, but proved pretty stupid as the STF has since lost $3.7 billion because of that cut. Now the bill has come due and lawmakers should be honest with constituents about the need for new funding. They created this problem and now they must solve it.

“Nobody wants to pay more to drive. We’re all selfish and think that someone else should pay, but not us. Tolling only at the borders, only tolling out of state motorists… these are unconstitutional and patently selfish solutions to a problem we all must address.”

“Now, ironically in an election year, lawmakers are going to have to finally do the right thing: make motorists pay, just like rail commuters have for decades, to get around in our state.”