Steny Hoyer: Transit and Energy

Today house majority leader Steny Hoyer wrote an article for The Hill which set forth a new program for transit and energy independence. My reaction: it's a start but it isn't worth anything really. I like the fact that there will be $2 billion dollars for transit. But its just a one time infusion. It should be an annual infusion, not just a one time push. We aren't going to be able to turn the tide on over 50 years in billion dollar highway investments with just one little measly $2 billion dollars. There needs to be a fundamental shift to allow regions to build meaningful transit systems or expand existing systems. I'm amazed at the transit space race right now at how aggressive cities like Denver, Portland and Seattle are at building out their networks. The larger the network, the more people will ride. But it's not just people riding, it's connecting these investments to land use. That is also a place where the federal government can step in.

From the Hill...

On this point, let me be specific: We must find ways to encourage Americans to park their automobiles and take advantage of public transportation, where possible and when feasible. That’s why the PROGRESS Act adds a special, one-time $2 billion stimulus grant for the expansion of public transit services through the existing urban grant program.

In addition, the bill includes an incentive for commuters to choose transit by boosting the current transit benefit to match the federal parking benefit exclusion, which is currently $205. Furthermore, it supports the growth of commuter rail by including a process for resolving rail use agreements when access to rail lines becomes an impediment to establishing local commuter rail systems or routes.

And finally, on the issue of public transportation, the PROGRESS Act promotes the development of new and expanded intercity rail passenger service through the use of guaranteed loans and rail bonds to help state and local governments that want to expand rail service as an alternative to vehicle travel.

Public transit must play a central role if America is going to declare its energy independence. Increasingly, we are seeing more Americans relying on the public transportation options that help them to work, play and participate fully in the American experience.

Dream Crushers and Traffic

So a big pet peave of mine is when people tell you that something isn't possible when it more than likely is when you work at it. For example, if you tell a nation that there is no way they can rebuild their transit infrastructure in a meaningful way, what hope is there to do it. In the United States today people are too concerned with the short term fix rather than the long term goal and that really annoys me. In my former running life, years upon years of miles are built up on your legs to be able to run fast. Those guys at the olympics in the marathon train their whole lives to be there and no one ever told them to stop or that the road was too long. And if they were told that they simply ignored the naysayers. I'm not sure if i'm butchering this quote but a friend of mine has it up in his house. "Those who will try to convince you to abandon your dreams have already abandoned theirs."

On another note, I drove to work today. On Wednesdays I go visit my grandmother in suburbia and sometimes i take my car. Some days are nice for walking the three miles or biking, but BART doesn't allow bikes when i go to work so i have to sneak it on if i want to do that. They need runaround vehicles or bike rental at the station. I would totally use it.

But the main point was that driving out of San Francisco towards the maze there was no traffic. I mean there were cars but they were moving. There were cars at the toll plaza but not many. It was amazing. Did the shift to transit and other routes really make that big a difference? Are people just so lazy and lemming like that they drive their cars even if they have a good transit alternative? What this says to me is that the answer is yes. How long will induced traffic take to pick back up is the question.

BRT Meets in the Morning

I saw on the SFist that there was a meeting about the Geary BRT. I would have gone however the meeting was in the morning during work. I'm rather annoyed because i would have hoped that I would have been able to make some comments about the need to make it LRT ready and push for the downtown subway segment. But alas I would have had to skip work to make comments. Perhaps they allow emails. Why is it that only certain activists are allowed to attend meetings? Skipping work? Geez.

Environmental Quality and Existing Infrastructure

The Maze situation in California has brought up an interesting situation. In their attempt to get it done quickly, it seems as if they will waive the CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) requirement in order to get the freeway rebuilt faster. It makes me wonder, why do we need to do laborious EI statements with light rail and streetcars that will be using existing roadways. It's not as if you're going to increase impervious cover or cause more pollution. Yes there are certain situations where extensive EIS should be performed but if a downtown circulator system is to be built in existing streets, why would we need a piece of paper to tell us what we already know? Am I way off base in thinking this?

Team Transitman

Be a part of the revolution, join TRANSiTMAN on his quest to change the world by riding the bus! I think this is great. This could be a way of pulling adults and kids alike who might not be into transit, but would like to learn more.

Governor Gets Behind High Speed Rail

The Governor of California finally throws some support behind high speed rail. Geez it took him long enough. All we needed was a tanker truck to blow up and a bunch of people to get on BART for the Governor to see how important this is. All I have to say is stay out of this fight Southwest. Those guys kept good city connecting rail out of Texas, so they better not try it here...however i'm sure they will.

Phoenix Ups the Ante

Drawing on an opportunity to expand a freeway and light rail at the same time, the City of Phoenix has decided to chip in funds to fund a study of light rail on the I-10 Corridor. I often wonder the effects of running rail in the center of the freeway. It should really be on an arterial, however depending on the design it might work, i repeat might.

BART Absorbs Riders

Because of the freeway connector that was destroyed by a tanker truck explosion, commuters have been flocking to BART. Monday was the highest ridership ever on BART. Imagine what would have happened if there were no transit. A similar situation in Chicago occurred when freeway repairs were being made parallel to the brown line.

Trains carried an estimated 375,200 riders on Tuesday, eclipsing the previous record of 374, 900 passengers set in 2000, according to a BART news release.

Transit Space Race Commentary

Bus Chick notes a picture that was taken at a Seattle Truck Dealer. The sign reads "Headed to Portland, Check out Their light rail, 25 years ahead of ours, what's up with that?"

Yeah, what is up with that?

Minnesota Legislature Turning Up the Heat

Using Union Depot as a hub, the state legislature passed a bill that would fund $334 million dollars worth of projects. However the governor doesn't want to have any of it, asking for only $81 million. Funding will go to the Central Corridor, High Speed Rail to Chicago, the Rush Line Commuter Rail, the Red Rock Corridor and the redesign of Union Depot as a hub of all this activity. It's getting exciting in the land of 1000 lakes.