Congressman (and Transportation Chair) Jim Oberstar will release a white paper on Thursday outlining his plan for the next surface transportation reauthorization bill.
One issue that many transit advocates are hoping for is ‘transit equity’, the idea that the disparity between Federal match for highways (80-90%) and match for transit projects (50-60%, usually 50%) might be removed.
Let’s all cross our fingers!
13 responses to “Transit Equity Coming?”
And here, Chris, I thought maybe you were talking about equity between the amount of money spent on buses versus streetcars and light rail. :-)
$1.6 billion for Milwaukie Light Rail –with probably half that in local match, so real opportunity costs here, folks– while our bus service (and MAX service for that matter) is getting gutted.
Build it and they will come…but you still need operating revenues once they do, and that just isn’t happening.
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Well, how about we equalize them by giving highway projects 50%? Or, preferably, 0%? It should be noted that we would really need to go back in time since so many highway projects have already been done compared to transit projects. (And if we did that, and fixed other pricing issues, we probably wouldn’t need big transit projects as much.)
The problem is that the possibly of “free” money can distort local government’s thinking and preclude a rational discussion of what kind of transportation the place wants to have. It understandably puts the focus on the jobs and prestige that the money would bring, and/or creates a fear that the money (which really is taxes paid by the citizens) might go elsewhere.
There is never going to be any equity anywhere as long as human beings are in charge of anything!
Those that have get more those that have not get less!
The world spins and everyone dies anyway!
Why should anyone care about anything.
Just fund immoral wars killing innocent people while we quibble about trivial matters such as transit equity.
by giving highway projects 50%? Or, preferably, 0%?
And why do you so hate buses that you would refuse them the roads to travel on? :-)
We already have plenty of roads…we lack high capacity transit with its own right of way and trails for bikes and pedestrians. That is where the new money should go; those are the networks we need.
We could turn I-5 into a busway… :)
Transit equity also requires taxing equity whereby a greater share (60 percent or more) of the funding for transit comes from transit passengers through the fare box, both for the capitol costs and the operational costs.
Terry Parker Says: Transit equity also requires taxing equity whereby a greater share (60 percent or more) of the funding for transit comes from transit passengers through the fare box, both for the capitol costs and the operational costs.
Why? Why is public transportation any different than police and fire services, or parks or libraries or noise control?
What is so different about transportation that it needs a user fee?
Let Terry stand up at the next TriMet service cut hearing and advocate for $5 to $10 per ride bus/MAX fares…it would be a real hit.
Why? Why is public transportation any different than police and fire services, or parks or libraries or noise control?
Certain individuals don’t use transit, and thus don’t want to pay for it. You’ll find the same viewpoint advocated with many other public services which have nothing to do with mobility.
Terry Parker:“Transit equity also requires taxing equity whereby a greater share (60 percent or more) of the funding for transit comes from transit passengers through the fare box, both for the capitol costs and the operational costs.”
ws: Most automobile use needs to increase at the very minimum of $2 per gallon to cover direct and indirect (externalities) costs on top of original gas tax and fuel cost @ pump.
Compared to people (in Oregon) paying 42 cents local/federal share for gas-tax; I’d say automobile users are skating by pretty nicely.
And why do you so hate buses that you would refuse them the roads to travel on?
We’re only talking about money coming from the Federal government. I’m sure states/local government would come up with ways to provide road infrastructure.