Gas Tax Increase Email (AKA Holding My Tongue)

[DebW]

I don't like these kinds of things going around at work...
But, in reference to this particular situation; is it the people in MA, or everywhere, but how do people think things we take for granted get paid for?
Like roads? Schools? Bridges? Police? Etc., Etc.
If these complainers can think of a better way to pay for things, then let them speak.

I've asked my representative (whom I know personally because I volunteered on his campaign) to support a gas tax increase. The state is in very poor fiscal shape right now, and the debts of the MBTA and Turnpike Authority could handicap future state budgets and borrowing potential. The alternative of doubling Turnpike tolls is grossly inequitable.

[kfergos]

I've asked my representative (whom I know personally because I volunteered on his campaign) to support a gas tax increase. The state is in very poor fiscal shape right now, and the debts of the MBTA and Turnpike Authority could handicap future state budgets and borrowing potential. The alternative of doubling Turnpike tolls is grossly inequitable.

If I was going to take action, I'd do the same thing. I think it helps politicians to know that some constituents won't be calling up irate at the prospect of higher gas prices.

I admit I did reply to the sender of the email; I just said "Bike to work!" She replied back: "It takes me an hour and 15 minutes to drive to work. Riding is out of the question." That's typical at my work: People drive 40, 50, 60 miles, sometimes even more, to get here. What do you say to encourage bike commuting for somebody who's chosen to live out in the boonies and drive over an hour each way?

[GLC1968]

What do you say to encourage bike commuting for somebody who's chosen to live out in the boonies and drive over an hour each way?

I live in the boonies and I bike to work.

I would challenge your coworkers to really investigate biking - most peole rarely bike the same route they drive, so it may be shorter than they think. Half of most people's commuting time (by car) is often from sitting in traffic. Without it, the actual distance may not be that far.

And then there's the hybrid commute option. My H had a 35 mile commute (which took him an hour if he drove) when we lived in NC. He would drive part way (on country roads - so no traffic), park at a grocery store, and then bike the remaining 15 miles or so. It took him only 20 extra minutes than his car commute - but he got exercise and saved $ on gas (not to mention the environmental impact). Plus, he was a much nicer person on bike commute days!


Oh, and count me in the pro-gas-tax camp.

[Eden]

I admit I did reply to the sender of the email; I just said "Bike to work!" She replied back: "It takes me an hour and 15 minutes to drive to work. Riding is out of the question." That's typical at my work: People drive 40, 50, 60 miles, sometimes even more, to get here. What do you say to encourage bike commuting for somebody who's chosen to live out in the boonies and drive over an hour each way?

Ask how much of that time is spent sitting in traffic.... my husbands commute is about an hour and 15 minutes no matter how he does it.... bike, bus or personal vehicle. My commute is far faster by bike than it is by bus... (I've never driven it during rush hour so I'm not sure how it would be by car). For me I can leave the house 15 min later if I bike and still shower and dress at work than if I shower at home and take the bus. For me bike = more sleep...

I also agree with GLC - for those who have chosen to commute extremely long distances, hybrid bus/bike commutes are a good option. Even if you are exercise opposed.... as long as there is decent public transport in your area many people find taking the bus and/or train less stressful and quicker than car commuting. I say tax away..... most people don't and won't conserve unless it bites them in the wallet...

[Selkie]

I chose to live in the city and used to be very close to work. We bought a modest home, close in, so we would not have the expense or inconvenience of a commute. Our house is within walking distance of the metro and we are on several metro bus lines.
Unfortunately, they relocated my job to a building they built out by Dulles airport. There is NO public transportation, and biking is not a viable option due to safety issues. My commute more than tripled. Oh yes, if I have meetings at other buildings, the taxpayer has to pay my mileage to drive there.
I did not choose to be relocated but I'm stuck until I complete my current assignment.
Now I pay a big chunk of change on tolls, gas, and car upkeep. So while I understand why people are for a gas increase, the simple truth is that some of us have no choice but to drive to work. If I could ride the bus or ride my bike to work, I would.

[Crankin]

Although ease of commute (whether by bike or car) is very important to me, I would not consider riding if I had a 30, 40, 50 mile commute. A hybrid commute would be possible for me, but given the logistics and time that would take at those distances, I know I wouldn't do it everyday.
It seems like their are more people who choose to live where they want (in the boonies) and deal with the long commute. Their home is more important than the driving. So, while I might not agree, I don't fault them.
I had a 30+ mile commute at one point when I first moved to MA. It was all highway and didn't really bother me. There is no way I would ride that, or part of it, even now.
When I started riding, I had a 6.75 mile commute. It was perfect because it was uphill in the AM, but still short, even with the climbing. I didn't really have to leave earlier than if I drove. Then I moved. My commute doubled, to 13.8 miles. The first year I was too scared to navigate one intersection and the alternate I tried was 18 miles one way; too long. Then I started riding 2 days a week at the end and beginning of the school year. It was fine. but it did require a lot of planning, since I couldn't put lights or racks on my road bike. Not everyone is up to doing that.

[indigoiis]

I live on a farm out in the boonies 32 miles from the city where I work.
I hybrid (bike to bus and back) commute two days a week.
I drive to bus two days a week.
In summer, one day a week, I ride all the way in, and all the way home. It takes about 2 hours one way.
It is worth having our little farm out in the boonies.

[kfergos]

I know it's doable -- you ladies prove it all the time! But my coworkers' eyes start glazing over when I talk about driving partway, etc. It's like the idea of riding a bike to work at all is just completely an anathema. They see me d it, but they don't think, "Hmmm, I could do something like that, too." It's frustrating to not even be able to get them to listen with an open mind to the many possibilities.

[Crankin]

Now that I am using the T, both commuter rail and the Red Line, I also keep my mouth shut about increases there. So much less stress than driving into the city, which I never do. I know it's not perfect, but it keeps me driving less.

[Aggie_Ama]

They are starting a commuter line near my house, I am curious about it because it is an odd thing for Texas. I would like to use it myself if it will be practical, give me an excuse to buy a folder.

I hate smoking with a passion so everytime the discuss increasing the tax again I applaud it loudly. Doesn't make my chimney brother happy but I hope one day he will see he is killing himself physically and financially and quit. Different soapbox.

[indigoiis]

Our state's conundrum? Our transit authority is funded more than 40% not by ridership or fares but by gas tax.

So that means...

if you stop driving and start taking the bus to save money on gas, there's a distinct and realistic possibility that you are negatively impacting the buses, which means they might cut your line.

Crazy.