Durham County Manager Mike Ruffin is pushing county commissioners to put both a quarter-cent sales tax hike AND a half-cent transit tax on the fall ballot. According to the Herald-Sun, Ruffin thinks the sales tax hike will be an easy pass, but the transit tax will have “organized opposition.” The reporter correctly notes that the John Locke Foundation opposes regional rail for the Triangle. Why? Rail rarely lives up to expectations of unclogging roads and improving air quality. Ridership rarely lives up to expectations either. A fixed, inflexible rail line isn’t compatible with the Triangle’s urban-suburban lifestyle. This area simply doesn’t have — and never will have — the population density to make rail a viable, efficient transportation tool. Rail, in and of itself, isn’t a bad thing. It is simply a tool, and tools much match the characteristics of the area. An expanded, flexible bus system, along with well maintained highways and even toll roads is a responsible transportation mix for this area.
You’ll find data about public transportation here. You’ll find data about highways and interstates here.