I noticed the article didn't mention it, skated around the issue, really, but the "problem" is not the working folks trying to get to/from work everyday, its the legions of unworking stiffs who have nothing better to do but get in the car by themselves and tool around the city, getting in the way of everyone else who is trying to earn a living...just because they can. This is a tough issue, these folks buy gas and pay the same gas taxes as everyone else, but the commuter in me really despises them. I would gladly pay more to get people who don't really need to be on the roads, off the roads and out of my way. But I think a better way would be to get more trucks off the road during peak hours...at least here in California, that would be great.
That's why they are called "public" roads. One man's "wasting time" is another's "scouting and familiarization".
Notice how “Congestion Pricing” is brought in, only AFTER all the subsidies & market distortions ("free pub. goods") had been liberally used - causing the overuse, over population (excessive demand), and lack of economic responsibility/sensitivity to price signals.
In other words, PRICES DO WORK. But after first being vigorously IGNORED, they are then later “TRIED” as a solution, only in the end!
Average politician's thought process: "Gee, where DID all the “Congestion” COME FROM, in the FIRST place? Gee, I don’t know! Odd, Huh?" etc
By the way, the Reason Foundation did a study of Calif. highway congestion, and found that almost HALF (40%) of rush hour congestion involves NON-WORK related trips. So, having people PAY to use the roads during rush hour would help eliminate most of these 'non-urgent' travel patterns.
4L