What follows is a public apology.  Not to you, dear reader, but to future generations: “To my grand children:  I’m sorry we left you with this mess.  We should have done more, when we still had time.”

Even with limited funding, Connecticut can do a lot to improve its rail infrastructure without spending too much money – and can adopt quite a few policies that will create some room for additional investments. To achieve this ConnDOT, Amtrak, and Metro-North will have to adopt some significant changes on how they run their railroads, build infrastructure, and purchase equipment.

If Connecticut REALLY needs to raise a billion each year… don’t use traditional tolling. The easy way is low mileage-based use fees on all roads.  This is tracked using satellite and/or cell-phone technology.  On-board devices already in all cars built since 1998 can be programmed to record miles driven on Connecticut’s roads.  ($30 transponders under the hood are a less-intrusive alternative). Out-of-state drivers are asked to pull over to a welcome station the first time they enter the state to buy a transponder.  For drivers crossing our border on local roads, licensed roadside stores or gas stations can sell the transponders, the way lottery dealers do now.