OpEd | National | High Speed Rail: How Much More Convincing Do We Need?

Many of my classmates have already talked about the need for investment in a national High Speed Rail (HSR) system. It is a much-discussed topic in urban planning and transportation classrooms. HSR even has a cheerleader at the very top level, in US Department of Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood. "This is what the American people want. If you build it, they will come," LaHood declared (Chapman, 2011)." So what will it take to convince our legislators that the time to invest in HSR projects is long overdue?   

Opponents say that no amount of ridership will cover the initial cost of creating the infrastructure, nor the continued cost of operations and maintenance. “No mass transit system in the country charges riders enough to offset the expenses of running trains—much less the cost of capital. Amtrak loses hundreds of millions a year,” says author Steve Chapman (Chapman, 2011). It’s true, trains are expensive business. They fail to acknowledge, however, the fact that every other mode of transportation in this country enjoys subsidies of one kind or another. Though President Obama did pledge to spend $13 billion in federal stimulus funds over five years to seed America’s first HSR projects, the federal government hasn’t spent that little on highways in one year since 1958 (Selcraig, 2010). Auto subsidies are simply a prevailing fact of our culture, with federally-funded road maintenance as well as mandated parking spaces taking up precious urban real estate. And we all remember when the entire national auto industry had to be bailed out on the public’s dime. Locally, much-need improvements in bike infrastructure was able to be funded by pairing the work with storm water management projects. Meanwhile, the government has provided $4.64 billion in taxpayer funds to the airline industry for cash grants and $1.65 billion in loan guarantees (Surjaputra, 2008). Yet none of these modes of transport can equal the benefits that HSR can bring.

OpEd | State | TriMet angers many, requires oversight

Photo credit: KGW.com

Did you know that TriMet fares are now among the highest in the nation (Gianola, 2013)? That’s right, a monthly adult TriMet pass is $100, while in Philadelphia, its $83, $72 in Los Angeles and just $70 in Boston (Gianola, 2013). Yet all three cities have operation far more extensive than Portland’s. So why does public transit cost so much in Portland? TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane wants you to blame the recession and the high cost of TriMet’s union health benefits (Gianola, 2013). He hoped you wouldn’t find out about the $910,000 in pay raises he approved for the highest echelon of TriMet management in 2012, even as he publicly stated that he had frozen their pay (Rose, 2013). “How could this happen right under our noses?” you may ask. This was able to happen because no one was watching. While TriMet management increased fairs, cut service, and gave themselves raises, no one was paying attention. To ensure this can’t happen again, Oregon lawmakers have called on Secretary of State Kate Brown to conduct an unprecedented audit of operations and finances at the state's largest public transit agency (Rose J. , 2013).

Vice-chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Economic Development, Rep. Chris Gorsek (D-Troutdale) is the chief sponsor of the proposal, an amendment to his House Bill 3316. HB3316 was intended to regulate TriMet’s governance, transferring operational and finical oversight from TriMet’s board of directors to Metro (Staff, 2013). However, Gorsek simultaneously realized he didn’t have wide support for restructuring and became aware of major management issues at TriMet. He took the opportunity to push for a large scale audit instead (Rose J. , 2013). While the audit will possibly take longer than the original plan - Brown's office plans to have the audit finished before the 2014 legislative session (Thompson, 2013) – it ensures a much more thorough understanding  of exactly what is going on inside the transit agency and why. This is an extremely prudent step, prior to taking any major action which could have unforeseen repercussions. While it’s obvious that things need to change inside TriMet, I believe it’s worth taking the time to do it right.

Free Transit in Estonia!

Whoever says there is no such thing as a free lunch hasn’t been to the Estonia’s capital city, Tallinn. The City recently became the first in the world to offer free transit to its residents. There is a catch, however. You must be a registered resident of the Tallinn and pay a one-time 2 euro fee (well, maybe a 2 euro lunch?) for a transit card that gets you on all buses, streetcars, and trolleybuses. The City’s transport authority reports that ridership is up 10 percent while the number of cars on city streets has fallen by 15 percent.

Can Transit be the Life of the Party in Los Angeles?

 By the end of this year, Los Angeles socialites and partygoers will have two new transit options to broaden their transportation and mobility horizons.

The Vegas X Train, expected to launch late 2013, will provide luxury rail service from Los Angeles to Las Vegas on the weekends. The Vegas X Train, dubbed the “party on rails”, is Las Vegas’ newest addition of attractions. Each of its rail cars will be outfitted with large, comfortable “first class” seating, WiFi, flat screen TV’s and a fully stocked lounge all for a starting ticket price of $99. The route restores passenger rail service between Los Angeles and Las Vegas that has been shut down for the last 13 years. Unlike standard regional transit, this train route will be 100% privately funded by the Las Vegas Railway Express, Incorporated (LVRE). LVRE recently signed a deal with Union Pacific Railroad to share their cargo rail lines and this agreement ensures that there will be no new rail lines constructed as a result of the business endeavor.

VMT at a Federal Level??? Op-Ed

There has been much talk in class about the raising of funds to support our highway network as well as non-motorized projects. Since the conception of the highway trust fund it rolled out miles after miles of creating the suburbs. After the creation of the suburbs came the creation of the second ring suburbs and subsequently sprawl. With Oregon leading the way into a much cleaner Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) tax I cannot help but feels some hesitation. Will non-motorized activities get a cut of these new taxes collected?

With all sorts of taxes becoming more unpopular and the fuel taxes remaining at the same price and not adjusted to inflation thing are getting tight. This situation escalated by the reality of more and more people shifting to more fuel efficient cars or electric or partially electric vehicles. The question of equity also comes into play as too the older cheaper cars that use more gas are more likely to pay more in gas tax than a newer more fuel efficient car.

Fig: 1 Impacts  of inflation and fuel economy on federal motor fuel exercise tax [1]

Op-Ed: East Portland Bus Stops Deserve Attention

Inequity manifests itself in many ways within the City of Portland. In a city that prides itself on its progressive policies and green transportation options, the disparities in TriMet’s bus stop accommodations are inexcusable. The contrast between the built environment and amenities at bus stops in Central Portland versus East Portland is abhorrent and needs to change. I implore TriMet to prioritize improvements to the “top three” worst bus stops, as identified by OPAL’s (Organizing People, Activating Leaders) East Portland Bus Project.

Does the MAX increase property values?

There have been many inquiries into how proximity to a light rail or rapid rail station affects values of nearby properties.  

Cool Real-Time TriMet Transit Map

Hi Everyone, check out this really cool real-time TriMet transit map I found recently. You can follow bus lines, MAX lines, and the Streetcar. I thought it was appropriate since we are discussing transit in class today:

http://www.pdxlivebus.com/

Sacramento RT's "TransitRenewal"

Sacramento Regional Transit (RT) recently conducted a Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) of its entire fixed-route service. Coined “TransitRenewal”, RT was determined to replenish its system to recover from a major service reduction brought upon by economic downturn. In 2010, RT was forced to eliminate 28 bus routes and night service on both bus and light rail service to fill a budget gap (Turner).

Denver RTD's Business-Like Transit Management

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of the greater Denver region has gained quite a bit of attention from their highly innovative service management approach. From the planning, construction, and operations of it's multi-modal service, RTD has proved to be ahead of the curve in how it does business.

Copenhagen Transit: The Metro, the S-train, and Movia

Copenhagen’s transit system consists of two major components: the S-train, which serves the greater Copenhagen metropolitan region, and the Metro, which provides greater connectivity within the city center and to the Copenhagen airport.