We must do something about our transportation needs and soon. We can all agree that for decades, we've had insufficient maintenance for city streets, county roads and that Highway 12, through Jamieson Canyon, is dangerous for commuters and other travelers. We're encouraged to enact Measure H, a seemingly simplistic solution to fix roads and reduce congestion.

In planning for the future and keeping in mind a lower cost now versus a higher cost later, we want the best information and use of our money.

Our state code specifies that transportation funds go for the operation, maintenance and rehabilitation of our highway system but funding most often goes to traffic capacity enhancement projects or new development for commercial and commuter vehicles.

Letters to the Register suggest we receive fewer funds due to bio-fuel cars.

Such comments are inaccurate. Both commuters and the cost of gas have increased (up 75 cents per gallon the past year); the tax on gas has not. Bio-fuel or hybrid engine cars, have only been on the market about six years.

Why must we impose a self-tax to be "given" state and federal funds? We are told most counties have already enacted a self-tax. With 58 counties in California, almost one third have a self-imposed tax. We often compare ourselves to other counties.

When comparing counties, are we aware that a larger percentage of our residents live beneath the median income than other Bay Area counties, with close to 15 percent below poverty level? For those with meager means, a half-percent loss on the dollar is a greater sacrifice than for those with a higher income.

Napa County has had its greatest increase in both housing development and cost in recent years; our median priced houses are at $621,000 and Solano County at $465,000, according to the S.F. Chronicle. Where have all the increased property tax revenues gone?

Measure H is energetic. Based on 2004 estimates, in 30 years we could raise some $530 million dollars for three programs: Safe Streets and Roads Maintenance and Congestion Relief; Jamieson Corridor; and Transportation and Demand Management.

The third is the most enticing, a transit center, implementing commuter and express bus links, senior mobility (volunteer drivers), and safe routes to transit and schools could help the most people over the longest period of time yet, only 5.72 percent of the total collected funds.

The most simplistic safety measures for the Jamieson Canyon reach of Highway 12 is the reduction of speed and vehicles through this corridor.

Head-on collisions are most often due to high speeds, DUI or fatigue. Would cameras near the merge east make a difference? The most asked-for solution is concrete barriers.

When we predict future needs (bridges, parking lots, or tunnels), it always takes more time and costs more. Oil prices will continue to escalate (at over $70 per barrel, and expected to reach $150 -$200 soon). Asphalt is a petroleum product. Oil is less of a commodity then we've always believed. Shall we wait to see cars abandoned in the streets before we insist on fuel-efficient commuter transportation?

Solano County's transportation authority has been in existence for more than 15 years, Napa County's transportation authority, less than one. Solano County also has a Measure H, but it is very different. With a larger population (400,000 versus 130,000), Solano County would raise more funds. Solano County has diverse transportation programs already in place and hopes to expand (advocating 29 percent to improve senior and disabled services (paid drivers), commuter transit and the school, pedestrian and bicyclist safety projects). Napa city has as many accidents as the county, pedestrians and bicyclists should not be in jeopardy.

Solano County has a transportation center (Fairfield); Napa plans to construct one (in an area flood prone and no longer central to the city's population). Solano County has 14 official park and rides, Napa one. Solano County hopes to expand buses, rail service, and the ferry fleet; Napa County residents can catch the Vine 10 to Vallejo.

In researching Measure H, I spoke with Mr. Zdon of NCTA, I found him to be informative, very polite and considerate of my opinions. If I were to support a transportation tax, this one is not it.

We are told that our buses are empty. Perhaps, if we had smaller buses -- that ran during the hours commuters needed them to destinations workers traveled -- and at least one park and ride near the industrial park or airport, we could relieve some congestion and provide some safety. We need peak-hour commuter options that are safe, reliable and arrive in a timely fashion.

Measure H is already obsolete.

(Rushing-Hart lives in Napa.)