Paving the way for transportation: North County transit alliance wants funds

By: DAVID BENNETT Commentary | Saturday, September 15, 2007 9:01 PM PDT ∞

On behalf of the Transit Alliance for a Better North County, we thank you for the opportunity to provide our view about transit in North County, particularly in relationship to the currently proposed Regional Transportation Plan. I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce our organization to your readers.

It is common knowledge that traffic congestion is consistently voiced as a concern in San Diego. In an effort toward affecting these concerns locally, the transit alliance was created in 2004 as a nonprofit corporation with an ultimate goal to spur the region toward a world-class transportation system and to solidify North County as a dynamic community in which to liv, work and play. Our organization currently has more than 300 members, including our North County leaders, major employers, small businesses, chambers of commerce and residents.

During my tenure with the transit alliance, I have discovered that transportation planning and securing the funding to implement plans is a complicated process; resources are limited, competitive and not always consistent. Transit funding in particular is continually subject to diversion to other uses, including the most recent "take" from the state of California to fund non-transit programs and help reduce the state budget deficit. Since 2001, more than $3 billion in transit funding has been diverted for other purposes. The inconsistency of the availability of dollars makes planning for effective transit solutions difficult at best and impossible at times of economic slowdowns, when transportation alternatives are needed most.

The San Diego Association of Governments, the government body charged with creating the long-range blueprint for the future, recognizes that transportation funding runs in cycles and the funding plan looks at the long-term cycles, not the short-term. The recommended transportation plan, known as the "reasonably expected" option ($58 billion), includes federal, state and local dollars but is dependent upon securing additional revenues that do not exist today. It is becoming clear that we can't depend on federal and state means alone; local funding strategies will be critical to leverage these other sources. In order to build better transportation systems in the future, it will be imperative to garner support for a variety of funding mechanisms.

It is also important for all of us to participate in the process, as there are questions we should ask our regional planning agency. Is North County receiving its fair share of attention and resources in the regional transportation plan? Can the plan be implemented, and will it be implemented soon enough? Does it go far enough to make a difference in our quality of life? Does the proposed transportation plan demonstrate a sufficient mix between public transportation, local streets and roads and highway, as it will take a combination of options to address the future growth of our region?

From my understanding, the reasonably expected plan recognizes critical transit improvements in North County, particularly to the rail systems. Some specific questions: What is the timing of these improvements? Are sufficient dollars planned to run new services? Are there sufficient dollars planned for the protection of existing infrastructures? For example, does the plan provide sufficient funding to replace or rehab the aging railroad bridges that provide not only commuter service, but intercity rail service and critical goods movement service to and from our downtown and border areas?

On behalf of the transit alliance, I personally thank SANDAG for recognizing the importance of transit in the plan and look forward to working with these regional planners to ensure that the plans are implemented.

David Bennett is vice president of the Transit Alliance for a Better North County. He is also a professor of management and director of community business relationships and outreach for the College of Business at Cal State San Marcos. He has over 25 years of experience as a senior executive at Pepsico, Marriott and Mail Boxes, Etc. Worldwide.