Durham Transit CONTINUES
Commission leaders have refused to have
a public discussion about the plan or hold
a required public hearing. Despite urging
from the majority of mayors of Wake’s twelve
municipalities, this has become a politically
divisive issue.
The four Republican Commissioners –
led by Commissioner Paul Coble – continue
to shut down action on the plan. The three
Democratic Commissioners James West,
Betty Lou Ward, and Caroline Sullivan have
all urged a fair hearing about the plan and
want to let citizens vote on the sales tax.
The Raleigh Wake Citizens’ Association
is part of a broad coalition called the
Capital Area Friends of Transit that has also
expressed support for the Wake County
transit plan and have asked Commissioners
to put the referendum on the ballot to let
Wake voters decide whether to fund better
transit. The coalition includes over 40
organizations (including the Raleigh Wake
Citizens’ Association, WakeUP Wake County,
AARP, Alliance of Disability Advocates,
Southeast Raleigh Assembly, Sierra Club
and more), local universities, many civic
and business leaders, and thousands of
concerned citizens.
Transit is not inherently a partisan
issue. When Charlotte wanted to improve
their bus system and build their Lynx
lightrail line, leaders from Democrat Harvey
Gantt to Republican Pat McCrory supported
it together. Charlotte voters overwhelming
approved the sales tax needed to build a
system so successful they are expanding it
ahead of schedule.
In most cities where transit systems
have been built, transit campaigns have had
strong bi-partisan support. Why? Because
transit benefits business, creates jobs,
provides transportation choices to people of
all economic status, and improves quality
of life.
Sadly, Wake - the largest and fastest
growing Triangle county - is falling behind
our neighboring counties and is in fact
holding up creating a regional transit
system. Considering that tens of thousands
of people travel across county lines every
day here, adding to the growing traffic jams
on I-40, not taking action now will be costly.
Many who want to move from one city
to another to find employment are stymied
from job opportunities. A recent study from
the NC Justice Center sites lack of transit as a
real impediment to a significant percentage
of low-income residents seeking jobs.
When transit has so many benefits,
people wonder
why County
Commissioners Paul
Coble, Phil
Matthews, Joe
Bryan, and
Tony Gurley
(Gurley since
resigned)
have voted
to hold up
action on
Wake’s transit
plan. That’s a
good question
that likely has
to do with
politics.
All four
seats occupied
by Republicans
happen to be
up for election
this November.
Many of these
elected officials
oppose tax
increases. The
Tea Party has
taken an antirail position
which no doubt
influences
politics at the
local level, as
we’ve witnessed
at the state and federal levels too.
Cuts in federal and state funding mean
we must have a local funding source. The
local half cent sales tax would be enough to
double bus service and build commuter rail.
Federal funds for light rail depend upon us
having a local revenue stream first.
Wake County adds about 75 people
daily, and will double in population to 1.5
million by 2035. The Triangle will be 3
million strong, making us a major metro
region. The Raleigh-Cary metro region
topped US growth rates for the past twelve
years and is projected to be the nation’s
fastest growing in the next decade.
This growth challenges our
transportation systems, housing, schools,
air quality and green space. We drive more
miles daily and using more gasoline than
the national average. Yet, the Triangle is
one of the few urban areas in the U.S.
without a multi-modal (bus, commuter,
and light rail) transit system.
Most local growth will be among
senior citizens, young professionals, and
immigrants – all groups that need and
want public transit options. Housing
trends reflect a growing demand for
apartments and housing in walkable, urban
communities.
Low income residents increasingly
rely upon public transit because they
cannot afford cars. High unemployment
and economic downturn means we must
attract new business, but many businesses
seek communities with rail transit –
something we lack. Additionally, building
roads and accompanying new development
consume farms and open space which itself
challenges water quality. We must address
these social and economic needs for today’s
and tomorrow’s generations.
You may wonder if a half-cent sales tax
increase is fair and affordable. The County
calculates it would cost the average resident
about $2.50 per month, depending upon how
much you shop. Also, State law prohibits the
sales tax from applyi