Tolls yield benefits: Letters

Re: Ontario urged to charge road tolls, June 1.

Research and case studies from around the world show that road tolls prevent sprawl and generate new revenues for transit. Other major benefits include decreased congestion, more time for family, less wear and tear on cars, reduced crashes, fewer greenhouse-gas emissions and improved air quality. Most of what Environment Commissioner Gord Miller calls the "political base" would be willing to pay a fair price for these economic, environmental and social improvements. What it really takes is a good dose of leadership.

It is great to see that Ontario Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne plans to have an intelligent conversation about how to fund transit. U.S. and Canadian politicians will be discussing road tolls and other transportation funding tools at the Transport Futures Leadership Summit in Toronto this month. If Wynne is honest about having an intelligent conversation, why isn't she attending this event?

Patricia Larkin, Pakenham