If commuter rail is such a good idea why are business and government officials asking taxpayers to pay an additional half cent sales tax to pay for it? (See the N&O story here.)
And taxpayers would have to agree to help pay
for it as part of the proposed half-cent sales tax for regional transit
improvements. The proposed sales tax could go to voters in the fall of
next year.
If the forecast is accurate, the Triangle would have a busier rail
line than the commuter trains that now serve such cities as San Diego
and San Jose.
That’s a big “if” and it is likely that it is grossly exaggerated. Maybe we should learn from San Diego and San Jose and not build another “money pit.” Of the 22 cities with rail transit only 7 carry more than one percent of motorized passenger travel and only one (NYC) of the 22 cities carries more than 3 percent of the motorized passenger travel. (For the record San Diego’s rail carries only 0.55 percent and San Jose’s rail carries only 0.30 percent of the motorized passenger travel in their area.)
It is highly likely that the Triangle will fit the pattern and carry less than one percent of all motorized passenger travel. It is obvious to any objective observer that this will not solve traffic congestion or pollution problems. Unfortunately, those pushing for the tax increase are not objective observers.
See the facts here in the “Public Transit” section of the JLF City and County Issue Guide 2009.
