It is 2:30 am, and I cannot sleep. After spending eight hours today at the Southern California Transit Forum at Chapman University in Orange, CA and a combined total of five hours of driving on the freeway system, I should have no problem getting some shut eye.
The probable reason for my insomnia is my discovery today that Governor Schwarzenegger proposes to "divert" $1.65 billion dollars in state gasoline sales tax revenue from California's public transit agencies to balance the state budget. Why this has not been front page news for the last two weeks boggles my mind.
In 2009, most agencies cut their bus/rail services an average of 20%. Faced with the threat of losing the entirety of state funding, public transit agencies would be forced to further reduce services another 33% on average. This means that within the year, California bus/rail services will be operating at the same level as 20 years ago!
Buses that survive route and schedule cuts are more likely to be filled to capacity, and will thus pass up riders they cannot accommodate. Those dependent on public transportation as their only mode of transit will have difficulty reaching their destinations, including places of employment. Differently-abled and elderly rider access to paratransit services will be severely curtailed. Bike riders will have a harder time finding an available rack on buses.
One of the most important factors for our improved air quality in California today is due to our expanded multi-modal transit network. Vehicular congestion in California could be worse today, believe it or not, if not for more people riding buses, trains, and bicycles than ever.
Local transit quickly spreads a wide web of economic impact that benefits us all. It contributes to urban vitality, social and economic equity, and environmental sustainability. Even if you have never been a passenger on a local bus or a train, you may need their services one day.
So, if this impacts you, I ask you to write to your elected state legislator and Governor Schwarzenegger to demand that the state gasoline sales tax not be obliterated. We must preserve our existing transit funding mechanism that Californians have voted for time and time again.
Your California Senator: http://www.senate.ca.gov/~newsen/senators/districtmaps.HTP
Governor Schwarzenegger: http://gov.ca.gov/interact
http://www.forconstructionpros.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=41&id=14776
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