Westpark tolls won’t be doubled: Officials listen to irate public but warn congestion will continue
Top county officials announced Thursday that they will rescind a decision to double fees during peak hours on the Westpark Tollway but warned drivers that traffic backups likely will continue without “congestion pricing.”…. “The realistic answer is ‘yes,’ ” Commissioner Steve Radack said. “There will be congestion on the Westpark Tollway.”…. Commissioners Court voted unanimously Tuesday to double fees during peak hours as a way to reduce congestion, but agreed two days later to rescind that decision after it was assailed by many tollway drivers and area residents.
A couple of days ago, I wrote about the Harris County Commissioners Court decision to more than double tolls on the Westpark Tollway. As you might imagine the “let them eat cake attitude” of some members of the court didn’t sit well with that who use the Westpark Tollway on a regular basis. Facing something resembling an open revolt, Commissioners did the right thing and rescinded their decision.
To call the original decision your basic PR nightmare would be something of an understatement. Coming out and telling your constituents/customers the moral equivalent of “go (&^% yourself” is seldom a sound strategy for prolonging your political career. Trying to force working class folks to bear the responsibility for your own lack of adequate planning and foresight is an equally poor career move.
“Congestion pricing” may be an effective way to reduce congestion on the Tollway, but what it says to those impacted is that the Westpark Tollway is really of, by, and for those who can afford it. Your tax dollars may have helped to build it, but if you can’t afford to use it…well, you’re just S.O.L., aren’t you?
Nice try, eh? Here’s an idea: the next time you try to solve a problem, try not doing it on the backs of working men and women already being squeezed. People want solutions, and they expect results, but they won’t tolerate solutions that require them to suffer for it. “Congestion pricing” may be an idea with some merit to do it, but sending a “go (&^% yourself” message along with a proposed plan is hardly a recipe for universal love and acceptance.
