Yes on subsidizing drivers, No on mass transit

by: Time2Lead

Mon Jan 11, 2010 at 10:41:45 PM EST

Gov.-elect Chris Christie doesn't want to "tie the hands of his incoming NJ DOT and NJ Transit chiefs" when it comes to raising fees on mass transit riders. Having a sustainable Transportation Trust fund on the other hand, not so much.

Gov.-elect Chris Christie, who has railed against New Jersey's mix of high taxes, fees and tolls, today would not rule out raising fares on NJ Transit trains and buses as he introduced two of his transportation policymakers. ...[H]e said that would tie the hands of James Weinstein, named today as executive director of the transit agency, as he tackles its budget.

Yet, he still insists on tying the hands of policymakers in creating a fair Transportation policy for NJ by refusing to consider raising the gas tax.

Christie reiterated his vow not to raise the gas tax to replenish the Transportation Trust Fund, a state account for road and transit projects that officials say will run out of money by 2011.

While we've seen many examples of Christie's hypocrisy and impossible inconsistencies in his campaign promises. Get ready to add this one to the list.

Snark aside, how is this rational policy-making and leadership? If New Jersey is going to ride out of its unemployment pothole, the state will need to invest in mass transit and transportation solutions. Investment designed to increase ridership reduces the time spent in traffic for all motorists, increases the lifespan of our roads, and helps protect our environment from tons of CO2 and other pollutants.

We already knew the Gov.-elect was bad on a number of issues, it looks like Transportation policy may be added to the list.