Costs cloud future of BART to San Jose Costs cloud future of BART to San Jose (May 06, 2005)

By Roy Nakadagawa

It is sad the way large businesses groups and politicians press for building BART to San Jose, claiming it will relieve congestion (studies show help will be minimal, if any), without knowing its effectiveness, cost or facts.

The original project cost was $3.7 billion. It is now over $4.2 billion, and including bonding will be $6.2 billion. The Valley Transit Authority proposals to cut some infrastructure to fit the budget will further affect ridership and costs.

An environmental impact study discloses the cost per trip for a new rider is $32 if built as planned, but with cuts it will increase. * The Federal Transit Authority has twice rated this project "not recommended," questioning funding and ridership. And there are additional considerations: * The FTA seldom awards $500 million grants (the San Jose project is hoping for almost double that) for projects costing more than $25 per trip/new rider; * Almost double the overall ridership benefited by BART to San Jose will be outside the Santa Clara County, which will pay for the project; * Operating cost increases by VTA will cut some maintenance facilities; * Trip cost increases substantially with lower ridership and fewer facilities; * A 71 percent fare recovery in the proposal is questionable, because no system in the U.S. has such high recovery.

With many questions, there are good reasons for constituents to question the worthiness of the BART to San Jose extension. Roy Nakadegawa is a retired traffic engineer and former BART board member.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.