Mass Transportation

It has been years since I have had to commute into NYC from my Long Island home but there are members of the family who still do. The recent talk of a fare increase on the LIRR shows the basic inequity of a blanket fare increase across the board for commuters of varying incomes. It's time to resurrect the idea of a tax credit for mass transportation expenses. It could be phased out at higher income levels but that probably would just result in the richer folks who can afford parking fees to drive their cars into the less than pristine air of Bloombergville. Why give a government subsidy to the Railroad when we can give it to the commuter. Than the railroad can raise the fares as they need the money and the commuters can deduct the fare from their tax bills. A five year trial program in which the results of the first three years could be analyzed and used as a basis for recommending the continuation, cancellation or modification of the credit is a worthwhile attempt at fairness to lower income commuters, decreasing auto usage and the demand for gasoline, and improving overall air quality.