Comments on: FTA Kills Plan to Use Stimulus Funds for Oakland Airport Connector

By: Eric G.

Eric G. — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:53:25 +0000

I have a good friend who lives in Berkeley and regularly flies out of Oakland Airport. He is completely transit dependent and so takes the BART and bus combo currently offered. Prior to this debate about the rail connector the only thing I ever heard him say about the connection was “oh yeah, it’s no problem. you take the train, then a quick bus and you’re there. Way easier than going all the way over to SFO” Since the debate came up we’ve discussed the train idea and the alternative bus idea (signal priority and dedicated roadway space) and both of us think that a bus can do the job perfectly well. Especially if that means additional funds become available for more worthy projects around the region.

Cuts are going to be necessary no matter, and hopefully focus on the least efficient service, not core frequencies or routes. I’ve been jammed into almost every bus I ever rode in the bay area. A one time infusion of funds to operations is a good idea to make up for sales tax shortfalls in the current economy, but eventually the funding and expenses have to achieve a sustainable balance. CA needs major structural reform.

By: JT

JT — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:06:29 +0000

There’s a good reason why capital investment funds should not be kept separate from operating funds–these operating shortfalls represent the only check on ever-increasing costs. The well-reported BART employee union contracts show just how little effort has been put into running efficiently. They need to go through the process of cutting services, feeling the heat from the community, readjusting costs downward significantly, and reestablishing the most necessary services.

By: Ken O

Ken O — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:42:41 +0000

If Detroit’s private donors can build a streetcar/lightrail system in their downtown for $150MM, why can’t Oakland?

Instead we had a bone-headed BART idea to build an expensive air train-to-nowhere. So GLAD that Dugger’s idea FLOPPED.

We need MORE social equality in this country, not LESS.