So How about Public Transit? (Seattle Times)

[jpak]

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/1204-23.htm

Where's our mobility scenario? As the country adds its next 100 million people by 2042, what's to save us from massive roadway congestion, incredibly long commutes and a degraded environment?

Increasingly, we resist new gas taxes and vote down referendums for more roads; instead, many people insist, "fix it first." Privately financed toll roads? We react skeptically.

So how about public transit — new streetcar lines, regional heavy- and light-rail commuter lines? Polls show people strongly in favor — to get to work or to reach entertainment and stadiums — at least to ease other drivers off the roads. More than two-thirds of transit-related measures were approved by voters in last month's elections. Kansas City suggested the shifting public sentiment — after earlier rejections, voters approved a ballot measure authorizing a three-eighths of a cent sales tax for a 27-mile light-rail system.

Just since June, St. Louis has opened a $678 million, eight-mile expansion of its existing, previously one-route MetroLink light-rail transit line. Inaugural commuter rail lines have opened to serve Nashville and Albuquerque. Two weeks ago, Denver's 14 miles of light rail suddenly expanded to 33 as an $879 million southeastern extension opened to much fanfare. New highways have fueled the American economy by staggering sums since World War II. But the new Denver line suggests transit can be economically potent too: Even before the extension opened, a stunning $4.25 billion in new residential or commercial development was either under way or planned near the new line's 13 station locations.

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