Promoting Public Transportation...
DC Statehood Green Party

Problem: congestion charges are a regressive tax. Working class people who have to drive to work are disproportionately punished.

A congestion charge need not be regressive if the revenues derived go to subsidize and expand mass transit. And working class people must be crucially involved in the planning. Reduced air pollution will have great benefits to the whole community. This is the approach advocated in this presentation, please read it or reread to find out. And with ever higher fuel costs, taking cheaper mass transit to work will certainly reduce the cost of living of these commuters.

But why is a congestion charge necessary at all, then? Why not just invest in public transportation?

Particularly troubling to me is the presentation's reference to London as a success. In fact, London's congestion charge has placed an *enormous* burden on working class people.