Comments on: Short Stimulus Package Timeline Will Compel Tough Regional Choices http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/02/12/short-stimulus-package-timeline-will-compel-tough-regional-choices/ Covering San Francisco's livable streets movement Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:15:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: marcos http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/02/12/short-stimulus-package-timeline-will-compel-tough-regional-choices/comment-page-1/#comment-3666 marcos Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:17:54 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=1523#comment-3666 Subsidizing transit operations is stimulus spending that also furthers many other policy goals. Cash strapped transit agencies would raise fares to cover the shortfall. With stimulus operations subsidy, the agency could stabilize service levels and fares or perhaps even lower fares. Stabilized or lower fares means more money in riders pockets, an effective tax cut or lack of tax increase, stabilized services means that the increasingly transit dependent will be able to get around less expensively. Lowering the barriers to transit uses furthers the goals of reducing both emissions and dependency on foreign petroleum. More folks riding transit means fewer cars and faster transit and that means safer streets for everyone. All roads to livable cities carry rapid, efficient, clean transit. The feds should offer up transit operating subsidies all the time as a matter of policy, but as a matter of policy, currently only pay for capital projects which is great but requires even more operating funds to keep going once built. One long term benefit of the stimulus package could be to break down that conceptual barrier which could lead to ongoing transit operating subsidy in the future which would be a great thing. -marc Subsidizing transit operations is stimulus spending that also furthers many other policy goals.

Cash strapped transit agencies would raise fares to cover the shortfall. With stimulus operations subsidy, the agency could stabilize service levels and fares or perhaps even lower fares. Stabilized or lower fares means more money in riders pockets, an effective tax cut or lack of tax increase, stabilized services means that the increasingly transit dependent will be able to get around less expensively. Lowering the barriers to transit uses furthers the goals of reducing both emissions and dependency on foreign petroleum.

More folks riding transit means fewer cars and faster transit and that means safer streets for everyone. All roads to livable cities carry rapid, efficient, clean transit.

The feds should offer up transit operating subsidies all the time as a matter of policy, but as a matter of policy, currently only pay for capital projects which is great but requires even more operating funds to keep going once built. One long term benefit of the stimulus package could be to break down that conceptual barrier which could lead to ongoing transit operating subsidy in the future which would be a great thing.

-marc

]]> By: murphstahoe http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/02/12/short-stimulus-package-timeline-will-compel-tough-regional-choices/comment-page-1/#comment-3660 murphstahoe Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:35:38 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=1523#comment-3660 As far as Caltrain is concerned, Santa Clara station could be re-done right now and needs to be done for HSR, and even if HSR never happens it will be very valuable. As far as Caltrain is concerned, Santa Clara station could be re-done right now and needs to be done for HSR, and even if HSR never happens it will be very valuable.

]]> By: rzu http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/02/12/short-stimulus-package-timeline-will-compel-tough-regional-choices/comment-page-1/#comment-3658 rzu Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:44:12 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=1523#comment-3658 Thanks for the review of the meeting. I was among those who were asking about the spending ratios. Both AC Transit and MUNI will likely have to raise fares and cut service if additional operating dollars aren't found to offset the loss of state funds (STA money). I'm still trying to figure out why the funding allocation isn't closer to the ridership numbers, especially if the idea is to provide the greatest benefit for the most people. Incidentally, SF gets little of the funds from highway projects. The one exception is the Doyle Drive rehab, which will primarily benefit Marin commuters. Oakland Airport connector seems like a big boondoggle (although the sketch does look nice). The Train Box on the other hand makes a lot of sense, although my understanding is that the conference committee dedicated a lot more money than either the House or Senate bill to High Speed Rail. Certainly some of that money could be allocated to Caltrain electrification and the Transbay terminal, freeing up funding for transit operators. Thanks for the review of the meeting. I was among those who were asking about the spending ratios. Both AC Transit and MUNI will likely have to raise fares and cut service if additional operating dollars aren’t found to offset the loss of state funds (STA money). I’m still trying to figure out why the funding allocation isn’t closer to the ridership numbers, especially if the idea is to provide the greatest benefit for the most people. Incidentally, SF gets little of the funds from highway projects. The one exception is the Doyle Drive rehab, which will primarily benefit Marin commuters.

Oakland Airport connector seems like a big boondoggle (although the sketch does look nice). The Train Box on the other hand makes a lot of sense, although my understanding is that the conference committee dedicated a lot more money than either the House or Senate bill to High Speed Rail. Certainly some of that money could be allocated to Caltrain electrification and the Transbay terminal, freeing up funding for transit operators.

]]> By: anonymouse http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/02/12/short-stimulus-package-timeline-will-compel-tough-regional-choices/comment-page-1/#comment-3656 anonymouse Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:20:10 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=1523#comment-3656 Isn't Caltrain electrification basically shovel-ready? I'm not sure the "train box" is something they can even start building for another few years, until they build the temporary bus terminal and tear down the old train station (for that is what the Transbay Terminal was built to be). Caltrain electrification, on the other hand, is just waiting for final approval to get funding and start final design, followed shortly thereafter by digging. Isn’t Caltrain electrification basically shovel-ready? I’m not sure the “train box” is something they can even start building for another few years, until they build the temporary bus terminal and tear down the old train station (for that is what the Transbay Terminal was built to be). Caltrain electrification, on the other hand, is just waiting for final approval to get funding and start final design, followed shortly thereafter by digging.

]]> By: Matt http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/02/12/short-stimulus-package-timeline-will-compel-tough-regional-choices/comment-page-1/#comment-3655 Matt Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:45:47 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=1523#comment-3655 I think it's a good idea to fund the connector and the train box. These are "shovel ready" projects that will put lots of people to work, as opposed to granting additional funding to transit agencies, which will only serve as upkeep and won't provide additional stimulus. A good stimulus package puts people to work building the major infrastructure improvements that otherwise would never get built. I think it’s a good idea to fund the connector and the train box. These are “shovel ready” projects that will put lots of people to work, as opposed to granting additional funding to transit agencies, which will only serve as upkeep and won’t provide additional stimulus. A good stimulus package puts people to work building the major infrastructure improvements that otherwise would never get built.

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