Public transit is the right move; President's budget supports stronger communities, economic growth

As President Obama made clear in his State of the Union Address, if America hopes to win the future, we must out-build and out-innovate the rest of the world in order to grow our economy and create jobs. Investing in a modern transportation network is a perfect example of how we can equip future generations to compete in a global economy.

One part of the President's plan is to promote more efficient, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly public transportation opportunities. The Administration’s 2012 budget proposal recommends 28 important transit construction projects across the United States that will improve transit service for millions of Americans.

And once these projects are under construction, they’ll generate hundreds of thousands of jobs in cities and towns across the country.


Construction on the Sound Transit University of Washington station

Adding transit opportunities is an all-around win for our nation. Even as these new transit lines increase our mobility--giving millions of people more options for getting to jobs, doctors, grocery stores, and other essential services--they also help reduce our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Improved transit access also supports economic development. For example, one of the new projects, extending rail service through Silicon Valley in San Jose, California, will help innovative, high-tech companies attract and retain a talented workforce.

In some cases, new construction allows communities to extend transit lines that have already proven to be engines of economic growth. The President's plan will help the cities of Portland and Milwaukie, Oregon, extend a successful light rail line into new markets along the South Waterfront and beyond.

And for some Americans, transit is the only way to get around, so any improvement in transit services means improved access to work and community colleges. When we help bring bus rapid transit service to the hard-working families along Division Avenue in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we'll make it easier for this transit-dependent community to get to jobs and hospitals they couldn't otherwise reach.



Now, the President also understands we have to start living within our means, and begin tightening our belts to reduce our debt. That’s why the President’s budget cuts wasteful spending and makes tough choices about some things we can’t afford, while keeping the investments we need to grow the economy and create jobs.

Transit provides crucial access to economic opportunities, goods and services for millions of Americans, and we are proud to play a supporting role in the President's strategy to "win the future."

Comments

[BillB]

Mr Secretary , keep up the good work !
Out here in the Northwest we love hi - speed rail
If the genius of a Gov in Florida does not want his
Federal Funding , we do !
How about adding a connection to the West Coast Hi- Speed Rail from Oregon to California ?
We would love to have one continuous line from Seattle to San Diego !

[Dan B]

Florida governor, Rick Scott, recently rejected funds slated for a high speed rail between Tampa and Orlando. This has caused a ton of criticism for the newly elected governor. This would have saved billions of dollars from the state's budget and would have created jobs for a state with a high unemployment rate.

Right now it takes about 80-90 mins to get from downtown Tampa to Orlando International Airport (OIA). The trains would travel about 170 MPH and with the proposed stops, could get from downtown Tampa to Orlando in just over an hour. At first, the project would have only save a few minutes of time here and there, however, the long term goal of the High Speed Rail project was to extend from Tampa to Orlando, then from Orlando to Miami. This would have created a super-network connecting all three metro areas. The current total population of all three metro ares is over 11 million people.

[Michael E. Bailey]

For many seniors and persons with disabilities public transportation is a lifeline, not a lifestyle. It is desperately needed to get to and ffrom housing, work, medical access and other important services. But good systems of public transportation will not only be of critical support to the seniors and disabled but will also help to bring more people out of their cars and onto public transportation, reducing congestion, pollution, dependence on foreign oil, and increasing farebox revenure.
California is working on a Employment First Policy for the disabled community in our state. This is being done by the Employment First Committee of the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities with a report soon to be released and sent to the Governor and Legislature on July 1st. One critical pillar to Employment First is good public transportation. We have seen in other states that did not have good public transportation that Employment First did not work or did not worhk as effectively as it should. The report will spotlight public transportation as a key part of Employment First necessary to make it work and get as many people out of workshops and day programs as choose to leave and work in jobs that pay at least minimum wage in the community. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Data Backup]

I agree that public transit is the right move, it can give millions of people more options for getting to jobs. Transit provides crucial access to economic opportunities, it can support the President's strategy to "win the future."

[Deb Leath]

Everyone always speaks to the job creation, ease of use, time saving, energy saving, etc. But no one ever comments whether it will ever be self sustaining or profitable. Are we to spend billions of dollars on something that will forever be subsidized by the taxpayers...many of whom may never even use it, just so we can say we've created more jobs that will cost us in tax dollars forever more? Does anyone know of any public transportation that is self sustained?

[Peter Varga]

I appreciate your comments about Grand Rapids, Michigan, because it is about jobs and getting people to work. We are also counting somewhat on the creation of jobs due to more liveable communities at the station areas with new residential and retail areas growing out of what was a decaying corridor. Yes it is about jobs, it will take time, but it will happen. Peter Varga

[Nathanael Nerode]

Deb Leath, no form of infrastructure, no form of public service, is "profitable". Your roadways are paid for by property taxes (and often by state sales taxes as well), as are, most likely, your city water systems, and your city sewer systems -- they require continuous subsidy by the taxpayers. And don't get me started on how much the military costs -- it has never come close to paying for itself! We value them because they provide utility to us.

However, high speed rail has been shown worldwide to be *operationally* profitable. Once you pay off the construction costs, operations pays for itself. So it is a far more efficient use of government money than, for example, new freeways, where the maintenance and policing costs aren't even covered by the gas tax. (You can look up the TxDOT study of highway costs if you want to be horrified.)

[Nathanael Nerode]

Regarding urban passenger rail (subways and the like), it does not pay for itself, but neither do urban roads. Urban roads require far more subsidies and move far fewer people.

On top of that, urban passenger rail prices are generally kept artificially low as a subsidy to the poorest. This is a questionable policy -- in big cities where roads are invariably a slow and crowded alternative, urban rail could probably charge higher prices and still be heavily used.