Concerning the April 29 Point of View column "The bell tolls for low-income drivers," I agree that building these toll roads (the Triangle Parkway and the Western Wake Expressway) would be a bad idea for all the reasons the writer cited, but there is more to the story.

The Special Transit Advisory Commission, a group of local elected officials and representatives, recently released a plan to address the long-term transportation needs of the Triangle, and its plan does not even mention these toll roads. These toll roads compete against mass transit because they would siphon tax money away from it, while increasing vehicular traffic.

It's time for our state representatives to step up and decide what the future will hold for the Triangle: more toll roads or a comprehensive plan for mass transit. The gap-funding spending bill soon up for a vote in the House would commit us to a toll road future.

Tell your legislator not to rush to judgment on these toll roads before they take a serious look at the STAC's recommendations.

Jeff Herring

Cary