[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Transit Remorse

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Transit Remorse
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1219555363.shtml


   Washington County was one of five to enact the quarter-cent sales tax
   increment for Transit. It was a 3-2 vote by the Commissioners, which
   by the infamous Transit Tax bill passed over the Governor's veto
   precluded the usual referendum requirement.
   The three who voted yes [1]are now having second thoughts. Somebody
   ran the numbers, finding that a net $3 million is flowing out of
   Washington County, 3 of every 4 dollars raised by the new tax. To
   where? To Light Rail, of course, the Central Corridor line to be
   specific, "the finger that reaches to the east" as Peter McLaughlin
   put it. McLaughlin heads the new Counties Transit Improvement Board
   created by the Transit Tax bill.
   That "finger" has no real value for Washington County's Forest Lake,
   which already has express bus service to Minneapolis. Plus, the
   existing 94D express bus (if allowed to continue after the trains
   start running) will beat the train by several minutes. True, these
   runs don't run during off-peak hours, but the 16 bus will handle those
   situations, and for far less per ride.
   This was entirely predictable to anyone familiar with the high
   construction costs and deep operating deficits of Light Rail,
   particularly the Central Corridor. Further, the Metropolitan Council's
   long range plan has relatively little in the way of transit projects
   scheduled for the County.
   Sadder but wiser, the County is now considering changing its mind.

References

   1. http://www.startribune.com/local/east/27679209.html?elr=KArksUUUU