To the editor:

Ms. Deanna Williams’ letter has prompted me to write this rebuttal. You are entitled to your opinion, but facts are facts. Ms. Williams, if I come to you with a program that reduces the following: traffic congestion, demand for parking space, fuel consumption, pollution in the air, and the USERS cover ALL of its cost with no taxes, would you accept it? I think you would. So the facts are that the van pool “program” pays for ALL of its cost by its riders. You name the expense; it is covered. In other words, it is a break-even program.

I suggest that you read my letter to the paper on Jan. 22. Every rider on the van pool pays 46 cents per mile, and some of them travel over 100 miles a day. Every van pays for how many miles it travels. Riding the van pool takes dedication and commitment. My morning routine starts at 5:40 a.m., and I get home around 5:15 p.m. I could get up at 7 a.m. instead and be the only person in my car (like many I see on the turnpike) going to work. My van carries 12 passengers, and others carry 15 people.

This program perhaps is one of the few projects in the state that does not cost taxpayers any money, yet it is being eliminated for the sake of “inefficiency in the government.” The van pool participants do not want a hand out; they just want this worthwhile program that has many benefits to continue. You may want to try it out.

Abe Rezayazdi,

Lawrence