BART 'alternative' all spin and no substance BART 'alternative' all spin and no substance (January 13, 2006)

By Laura Stuchinsky

Ten consecutive quarters of declining sales tax revenues have the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) struggling to do more with less and trying to fund a list of valuable transportation projects with fewer dollars than projected in 2000, before the high-tech bubble burst. Many of these projects are essential to building a comprehensive regional transit system that would entice large numbers of commuters off of our highways and onto mass transit.

In a guest opinion on Dec. 16, BART opponents outlined a plan for "Caltrain Metro East," a Caltrain-like rail line between Fremont and San Jose. They claim their alternative would provide better service than BART at a fraction of its cost and allow VTA to build all of the transportation projects on its list without an additional tax. But the plan is cotton candy -- spun sugar with no real substance. Here are three reasons why: * Lower Cost Myth: The price tag for the BART extension to Silicon Valley is based on extensive analysis and years of study. In reality, their proposal is likely to cost much more than their guesstimated $1.5 million. Why? There is no freight route (and consequently no preserved right-of-way) for the proposed route between Milpitas and San Jose. Building one would require purchasing the rights to bulldoze approximately seven linear miles of homes and office buildings, or tunneling underground for that distance. * Better Service Debunked: They say their alternative would provide better service by providing a direct connection between Silicon Valley and the Central Valley. However, two transit lines already serve this market -- the Altamont Commuter Express and the Capitol Corridor line. What we lack is a reliable transit alternative for commuters traveling from eastern Alameda and Contra Costa counties to Silicon Valley, who comprise the majority of commuters on I-880. That is why the BART extension to Silicon Valley is expected to generate approximately 111,500 average weekday boardings by 2030; far more than any alternative to BART. * Mountain View Wins: There is a misconception that if BART is built, it will be at the expense of Mountain View and North County transportation projects. The plan VTA is considering retains funding for Dumbarton Rail and Caltrain improvements, plus a 24 percent increase in bus and light rail service, expanded senior/disabled services, and approximately $10 million annually for local street and road improvements county-wide, a portion of which would flow to Mountain View.

BART transports more people than any other system in the region. The numbers speak for themselves. Caltrain's current average weekday ridership is 34,000; BART's is 330,000. By 2030, Caltrain anticipates average weekday boardings will grow to 65,000, while BART's would climb to approximately 760,000 (including the BART extension to Silicon Valley). That's a tenfold difference.

If you want your tax dollars to make a real difference in our region, contact your city and county elected officials. Urge them to press the VTA Board to vote on Feb. 2 to adopt the current draft long-range expenditure plan to move BART and other North County priority projects forward.
Laura Stuchinsky is director of transportation and land use for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.

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