Comments on: Despite Outcry, MTC Board Approves OAK Connector Funds http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/02/25/despite-huge-turnout-for-mtc-meeting-vote-goes-against-advocates/ Covering San Francisco's livable streets movement Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:33:52 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Len Conly http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/02/25/despite-huge-turnout-for-mtc-meeting-vote-goes-against-advocates/comment-page-1/#comment-17991 Len Conly Fri, 24 Jul 2009 06:27:16 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=1619#comment-17991 According to the Contra Costa Times (7/23/2009) Commissioners Sue Lempert, Tom Bates and Chris Daly voted against the allocation, while the other 10 commissioners in attendance voted in favor. Len Conly BART-Oakland Airport connector gets $140 million By Janis Mara Contra Costa Times 7/23/2009 The last piece of funding for a BART elevated tram to Oakland International Airport fell into place Wednesday with a $140 million allocation from a regional funding and planning agency. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission allocated the money to help build the proposed 3.2-mile elevated connector between the Coliseum BART Station and the airport. The project's overall price tag is in the $550 million range. Commissioners Sue Lempert, Tom Bates and Chris Daly voted against the allocation, while the other 10 commissioners in attendance voted in favor. "Essentially, this was the last piece of funding for the project, with one small caveat," said Randy Rentzler of the commission. "BART is also going to seek a grant under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act," a program that helps transportation agencies get loans. In the big picture, though, the major funding is in place, Rentzler said. The Port of Oakland has committed $43 million to the project and its board also agreed to seek federal approval to impose a passenger fee on Oakland Airport passengers to aid in funding. Dozens of speakers took the microphone to argue for and against the project. Representatives of carpenters' unions expressed support, citing high unemployment among construction workers. Transit advocates led by a group called TransForm urged the agency to look into the matter further before allocating the money. "We're obviously very disappointed in the vote, particularly because many of the commissioners who voted in favor of the project expressed grave concerns about the (potential) ridership and the cost but ended up voting for it anyway," said Rebecca Saltzman of TransForm. "The good news is that the City of Oakland's public works committee will discuss the project at its September meeting, so the city will have a chance to weigh in on the matter." According to the Contra Costa Times (7/23/2009)

Commissioners Sue Lempert, Tom Bates and Chris Daly voted against the allocation, while the other 10 commissioners in attendance voted in favor.

Len Conly

BART-Oakland Airport connector gets $140 million

By Janis Mara
Contra Costa Times

7/23/2009
The last piece of funding for a BART elevated tram to Oakland International Airport fell into place Wednesday with a $140 million allocation from a regional funding and planning agency.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission allocated the money to help build the proposed 3.2-mile elevated connector between the Coliseum BART Station and the airport. The project's overall price tag is in the $550 million range.

Commissioners Sue Lempert, Tom Bates and Chris Daly voted against the allocation, while the other 10 commissioners in attendance voted in favor.

"Essentially, this was the last piece of funding for the project, with one small caveat," said Randy Rentzler of the commission. "BART is also going to seek a grant under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act," a program that helps transportation agencies get loans.

In the big picture, though, the major funding is in place, Rentzler said. The Port of Oakland has committed $43 million to the project and its board also agreed to seek federal approval to impose a passenger fee on Oakland Airport passengers to aid in funding.

Dozens of speakers took the microphone to argue for and against the project. Representatives of carpenters' unions expressed support, citing high unemployment among construction workers. Transit advocates led by a group called TransForm urged the agency to look into the matter further before allocating the money.

"We're obviously very disappointed in the vote, particularly because many of the commissioners who voted in favor of the project expressed grave concerns about the (potential) ridership and the cost but ended up voting for it anyway," said Rebecca Saltzman of TransForm. "The good news is that the City of Oakland's public works committee will discuss the project at its September meeting, so the city will have a chance to weigh in on the matter."

]]> By: Greg http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/02/25/despite-huge-turnout-for-mtc-meeting-vote-goes-against-advocates/comment-page-1/#comment-4442 Greg Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:12:41 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=1619#comment-4442 It really seems like all this federal money being sent her for transit is being pissed away on projects that cost a lot and don't do anything to improve the economic and general well being of people in the area. Between this, the Central Subway boondoggle, and the ongoing nonsense with the transbay terminal, we'll be pissing away the money and have nothing to show for it. Oh well, I guess it's best it goes to endless "consultants", lobbyists, and high salaried bureaucrats. It really seems like all this federal money being sent her for transit is being pissed away on projects that cost a lot and don't do anything to improve the economic and general well being of people in the area. Between this, the Central Subway boondoggle, and the ongoing nonsense with the transbay terminal, we'll be pissing away the money and have nothing to show for it. Oh well, I guess it's best it goes to endless "consultants", lobbyists, and high salaried bureaucrats.

]]> By: Tony http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/02/25/despite-huge-turnout-for-mtc-meeting-vote-goes-against-advocates/comment-page-1/#comment-3862 Tony Fri, 27 Feb 2009 05:04:06 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=1619#comment-3862 The OAC would not benefit Oaklanders. When I go to the airport taking BART would involve a bus-BART-bus transfer. Service on AC Transit #50 should be beefed up, in addition to a AirBART busway. The OAC would not benefit Oaklanders. When I go to the airport taking BART would involve a bus-BART-bus transfer. Service on AC Transit #50 should be beefed up, in addition to a AirBART busway.

]]> By: bikerider http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/02/25/despite-huge-turnout-for-mtc-meeting-vote-goes-against-advocates/comment-page-1/#comment-3845 bikerider Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:24:28 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=1619#comment-3845 Note that the existing AirBART bus service is profitable -- at a fare much lower than $5-6. End result: much higher fare to the airport, disinvestment in AC Transit, and taxpayer gift to contractors. Way to go MTC! Note that the existing AirBART bus service is profitable -- at a fare much lower than $5-6.

End result: much higher fare to the airport, disinvestment in AC Transit, and taxpayer gift to contractors. Way to go MTC!

]]> By: Matthew Roth http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/02/25/despite-huge-turnout-for-mtc-meeting-vote-goes-against-advocates/comment-page-1/#comment-3831 Matthew Roth Thu, 26 Feb 2009 02:22:59 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=1619#comment-3831 It would be a public-private partnership. BART is project lead, Port of Oakland would put in funding, as would MTC. The private partner would design, build, and operate for 35 years. The studies have estimated a fare of $5-6 for the 3 mile trip, consistent with the fee on Airtrain in NYC and New Jersey. BART would maintain the fare rate but expects OAC to need no additional funding once it opened. It would be a public-private partnership. BART is project lead, Port of Oakland would put in funding, as would MTC. The private partner would design, build, and operate for 35 years. The studies have estimated a fare of $5-6 for the 3 mile trip, consistent with the fee on Airtrain in NYC and New Jersey. BART would maintain the fare rate but expects OAC to need no additional funding once it opened.

]]> By: zig http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/02/25/despite-huge-turnout-for-mtc-meeting-vote-goes-against-advocates/comment-page-1/#comment-3830 zig Thu, 26 Feb 2009 02:17:08 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=1619#comment-3830 Is the OAC still a public private partnership? I recall a pretty silly fare that they were proposing. This thing is clearly a bust Is the OAC still a public private partnership? I recall a pretty silly fare that they were proposing.

This thing is clearly a bust

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