Transit should support itself

Who wouldn’t want a transit system that saved them $8,000 while someone else paid the bills [Updike Viewpoint, April 15]? Are Marion County taxpayers going to subsidize my commuting costs from southeast Marion County, too?

I am all for a transit system if the users pay all of the costs. If the cost to operate a line for travel from downtown to Broad Ripple is $10, then charge the rider $10. If I choose to use the transit system, I will be more than happy to pay for it. Until then, don’t force the non-users of a transit system to pay for the wishes of voters who will not be paying the majority of the cost. Those of us who prefer to drive pay taxes on the fuel we purchase which is used to pay for our roads. Make the transit system pay for itself with user fees and we will see how popular transit systems truly are!
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Gerry Hemmelgarn