Today the RFTA board is meeting in Carbondale. One of the issues they will be discussing is whether or not to put a transit tax question on the upcoming November ballot.

RFTA is looking for more money so they can maintain and increase the services they provide. They are wondering if they should ask voters from Aspen to Rifle for an increase in their sales tax levels, with the additional funds going to help fund RFTA’s ambitious goals.

RFTA already faces opposition from some elected officials in Snowmass and Garfield County. And with inflation on the rise, voters everywhere will be really hard pressed to OK an increase on any prices, regardless of the benefits they might receive. But the X factor against the transit tax could be the blowback from the anti-car movement that flourishes in the upper valley.

For years, drivers in, out and around Aspen have been faced with an array of disincentives designed to get them to change their ways. A paid parking program was started. HOV lanes were put in from Basalt to Aspen. Bus lanes were given priority over the rest of traffic. More recently, the City of Aspen has stepped up its efforts by increasing parking rates and ending the infamous “two hour shuffle.” Even the idea of congestion pricing has been bandied about.

This has left some folks feeling powerless. Like they are being forced out of their cars without a say and the only thing they can do to stall out their banishment to the bus is to limit RFTA’s budget. They may even see a vote against RFTA as the only way for them to flex their muscles and let their discontent be heard and felt. Voters could actually interpret this tax hike as a direct result of Aspen’s stepped-up efforts to curb their use of their cars. Whether or not it is deserving, RFTA could feel the wrath of drivers who feel disenfranchised and people who just don’t care.

Besides, with parking rates on the increase, the “two hour shuffle” taking its last dance and congestion pricing possibly on the way, people probably feel like they already are, or will be, paying enough.

If some still drive in and around Aspen, then pray for them. If you don’t pray, then at least take pity on them. With the ever-rising cost of fuel, dangerous roads and the battle against pollution, those who still drive in Aspen are either crazy, have so much money they don’t care or need their vehicles for work. The expansion of paid parking, followed by a tax increase for RFTA, is like adding insult to injury for some.

However, there is a way that RFTA could court the driving public. With its political influence maybe RFTA could do a little something for the drivers. Here are some suggestions: Keep paid parking the way it was, allow the “two hour shuffle,” keep rates down and skip the congestion pricing. Get rid of the HOV lanes from Brush Creek Road to Basalt. No new traffic lights on Highway. 82.  Build overpasses or underpasses. Allow another vote on the Entrance to Aspen and keep looking to light rail to get those buses out of the way.

The sales tax increase might pass in Aspen. But to take it all the way to the edge of Garfield County will likely be a bumpy road with a dead end.