This was my letter to the editor about commuter rail, RTA and the Journal's editorial for 2008. Sat. Jan 19. 2008
Glad transportation included in agenda
Thanks to the State Journal for its 2008 agenda editorial, especially "Steering clear of gridlock."
After reading the Transport 2020 report, the conclusion has to be that it doesn't make sense. The report consultants found that at an "enhanced bus system" spending level, a single bus rider could be added for $1.50, most covered by the rider's fare and the current $4 local and federal tax subsidies. The Transport 2020 plan of keeping the fare the same for commuter trains and buses would kick the tax subsidy up to an estimated $65 per rider -- one way and with fewer riders than the enhanced bus system.
When the Transport 2020 committee, led by and made up mostly of rail advocates, decided to ignore this less expensive bus detour and stay on track for trains and trolleys, they achieved the dubious distinction of national attention for pigheadedness in author Randal O'Toole's 2007 book "The Best-Laid Plans. " (page 171-172)
O'Toole points out that crippling the bus system by turning it into a "train feeder" system and eliminating routes that "compete" with the train artificially forces ridership for trains upward and makes trains an easier sell.
The problem is traffic congestion. The solution is bypassing through traffic around the Isthmus, enhanced bus service and safer high capacity highways.
-- Bill Richardson, Middleton, member, Thegreattrainrobbery.org
Glad transportation included in agenda
Thanks to the State Journal for its 2008 agenda editorial, especially "Steering clear of gridlock."
After reading the Transport 2020 report, the conclusion has to be that it doesn't make sense. The report consultants found that at an "enhanced bus system" spending level, a single bus rider could be added for $1.50, most covered by the rider's fare and the current $4 local and federal tax subsidies. The Transport 2020 plan of keeping the fare the same for commuter trains and buses would kick the tax subsidy up to an estimated $65 per rider -- one way and with fewer riders than the enhanced bus system.
When the Transport 2020 committee, led by and made up mostly of rail advocates, decided to ignore this less expensive bus detour and stay on track for trains and trolleys, they achieved the dubious distinction of national attention for pigheadedness in author Randal O'Toole's 2007 book "The Best-Laid Plans. " (page 171-172)
O'Toole points out that crippling the bus system by turning it into a "train feeder" system and eliminating routes that "compete" with the train artificially forces ridership for trains upward and makes trains an easier sell.
The problem is traffic congestion. The solution is bypassing through traffic around the Isthmus, enhanced bus service and safer high capacity highways.
-- Bill Richardson, Middleton, member, Thegreattrainrobbery.org
1 comment:
Since the RTA issue does not seem to get onto any ballot in the form of a referendum, I wanted to create an online petition let people who oppose the creation of the RTA, a sales tax increase, and commuter rail in Dane County voice their opinion. This is truly a grassroots effort... Please feel free to include others.
http://www.stephenbjohnson.com/petition
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