I liked CATS CEO Keith Parker. He seemed much more of a straight-shooter than Ron Tober. But if Parker is leaving for a transit job in another city, then what does that tell you about Charlotte’s chances of ever building two or three more train lines?
The bottom-line is CATS needs a general sales tax hike in order to build more trains. The $500m. gambit to pawn off the streetcar line on the city has doubters up to and including Mayor Pat McCrory. And now Parker leaves. Tell you what this looks like, it looks like Parker did not want to be the one to break Tober’s election eve 2007 promise of a streetcar for West Charlotte.
Or Parker could’ve been the one to tell the Northern mayors that the train up I-77 makes not a damn bit of the sense, or tell the Uptown crowd that their beloved train to UNCC will cost $2b., minimum. All while trying to push thru a sales tax hike for transit. No wonder Parker is tapping out and declaring victory. It is all about to come crashing down for CATS.
Don’t blame him one bit. But we still need a new transit plan.
Update: Parker is heading to San Antonio. They do not have trains. But do want to do bus rapid transit. Smart.
