Roger Snoble, Chief Executive for Metro, and Doug Failing, Director of the CalTrans office for Los Angeles and Ventura Counties thinks so, which they penned their thoughts at the Los Angeles Times Op-Ed yesterday.

Highway toll lanes

However, we must ask serious questions before rushing to the green light on the concept.

Mr. Snoble and Mr. Failing claims that:  "the toll money would be plowed back into the freeway corridors to add more buses, vanpools, rail service and park-and-ride lots."

Plowed back?  Whatever happened to the half of a cent sales tax that the voters in Los Angeles County approved way back to improve transportation services?  The only thing we got plowed was our wallets.  Furthermore, why would you want to add more buses and vanpools, which would complicate our freeways in the first place?

Can MTA assure the public that the monies will not be diverted back to overbudget projects such as new subway services that would suit the Westside of Los Angeles?  Also, will the monies NOT be used as way for accounting purposes to fund the MTA's obligations for health benefits and retirement funds for their employees?

These freeways along the 210 Pasadena, 10 San Bernardino and 60 Pomona Freeways in the San Gabriel Valley have been constructed, completed and paid for.  Now, some "transportation experts" wants more of our money.

One must also ask:  Did it ever occured to anyone that the MTA will need enabling legislation where these funds be subsequently spent, which would be identified for the Highway Toll Lanes?  MTA needs to find a legislator to carry the legislation.

Furthermore, We should also ask, how much of this will this cost and can MTA bear these costs?  

It is critical to find ways to reduce traffic congestion, not just at the behest of the MTA.  Though, we will hear more about this subject in the days to come.