Washington, May 9, 2008 - Recently, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LAMTA) announced a plan to start charging for access to 183 miles of now free carpool lanes in exchange for $213.6 million in federal funding to buy more buses and build more park-and-ride lots.  In response, Congressman Miller, this week introduced the Free Way Act to prohibit states and localities from charging carpoolers to access now free carpool lanes built with federal taxpayer money.  By charging for the use of carpool lanes, the LAMTA is proposing to double-dip into the pockets of hardworking Americans.  We have already paid for these roads through federal, state, and local taxes.  Why should we pay again?   In addition to the cost to taxpayers, the proposal will actually increase Southern California’s already severe congestion by driving carpoolers into regular lanes or onto surface streets.  He introduced the Freeway Act to put an end to this foolish plan and put the free back in freeway.

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