Charge a fee for cars in the core

Re: Four ideas to help boost Ottawa’s bus and LRT service, Nov. 7. Brigitte Pellerin has some good ideas about boosting public transit. One of the best solutions she has not mentioned would be the introduction of transit fees for cars entering the inner city. A simple electronic system charging vehicles coming in on Highway 416 or 417 east and westbound, and of course all the bridges coming from Quebec.

A $2 charge for every vehicle from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday to Friday on all incoming traffic. Weekends would be free. Outgoing would also be free.

Think of the money this would generate to pay for public transit; think of the ride-sharing this would encourage. If you don’t have any business in town, it won’t cost you a penny. The present system only encourages single-occupied vehicles. It’s also not fair for rural property owners citywide to be paying for public transit. Conservationists always say that users should pay.

Ottawa is mostly rural in area.

Gerry Bedard, Ottawa

ERROL McGIHON A fee for vehicles entering the inner city would be a great revenue generator and would push people toward public transit, says Gerry Bedard.