Consumption taxes are paid by declining demand (due to a price point movement) but in the case of an inelastic good that ends up being forced on the consumer. So in this specific case I think a tax would be a mistake and end up being regressive in practice, but adding a large tax on automobiles might be a good alternative, with the aim of slowly decreasing the demand side and encouraging alternate transportation...

Honestly though, the US could just start funding public transit properly so that the alternative isn't so dismal.