How a bid for U.S. transit cash bounced from fast lane   A
proposal by the city of Los Angeles and the MTA to curb freeway
congestion was rejected because planners failed to do their
homework.  June 25, 2007|Steve Hymon | Times Staff Writer  In
May 2006, the federal government published a call to arms for
traffic-ridden cities across the country.  The feds -- their big
wallet loosened to the tune of $1.2 billion -- asked cities to
propose novel ways to ease congestion. One of the key
requirements for being considered for funds was that cites
include a proposal for "tolling," or "congestion pricing."
Congestion pricing has become an in-vogue term in transportation
circles and is already in use on the 91 Express Lanes in Orange
County. It's the practice of charging a toll, but with a twist:
The price changes as traffic increases.  As the price goes up,
the theory holds, fewer motorists will use the road.  Several
government entities in Los Angeles County -- including the city
of Los Angeles and the Metropolita