Boston Snow In

Boston recovered from the absurdity of last nights snow-in with commuters wondering what on earth they'd do if an emergency evacuation was required. Now they know. Yes, the snow removal crews were not coordinated with police escorts to clear sections of roads of cars so that they could be methodically cleared. Yes, there needs to be a thorough investigation of what went wrong over miles of roadways in Eastern Mass. But, the fundamental challenge to commuters remains...there are too many of you crowding into too few roadways. The expressways are clogged daily with solo drivers indulging in their talk radio/handsfree cell phone/music interlude. Just as the nation shut down when 9/11 caused closure of airports, our failure to support train travel seriously limits our options when car travel is the only choice available. There are not enough police details, snowplows or other public assets to offer commuters comfortable, reasonably timely transport when emergencies or acts of nature make "normal" slow commutes impossible. Huge public subsidies flow to car commuters from those of us who live near work and walk, take trains or subways, or work from a home office. Road building and maintenace are extremely capital intensive, and it is becoming clear that Mass. cannot afford to do an adequate job. Stop the wasteful solo commute or stop the whining.