This week's transportation policy developments took place against the backdrop of reports that roadway traffic in the metropolitan area had reached record levels.

The Daily News reported Monday that cars entering Manhattan had reached levels of nearly a million per day. "The traffic is about as bad as I've seen it," a former city transportation official told the News. "We've had big growth, and it's not been managed well." Bridge and tunnel crossings are up everywhere in NYC and on the Rockland-Westchester Tappan Zee Bridge.

In this light, some statements and positions taken by the region's political leaders, transportation managers and opinion makers seemed astounding:

· The Metropolitan Transportation Authority aggressively defended its decision to not significantly increase subway and bus service to meet expected growth in ridership following implementation of weekly and monthly NYC transit passes next month.

· Mayor Giuliani and Governor Pataki called for the Port Authority to charge NJ Transit more to use the PA's Manhattan bus terminal, potentially pressuring commuter bus fares. The Mayor also renewed his perennial attack on the $1 PATH fare.

· The Newark Star-Ledger launched a crusade to open carpool lanes in New Jersey to driver-only cars.

In the face of such stark evidence that basic transportation relationships don't penetrate the minds of the region's leaders, it's important to keep in mind some of the progress we've seen in recent years, like canceled highway widenings, widespread interest in new planning methods like traffic calming, and the advent of NYC transit passes. Most changes like these stem from the common sense of citizens willing to stand up and make a difference.