I recently attended an event where the governor and the Transportation secretary were touting their commitment to transit. They made particular and repeated references to the “fast tracking” of the Red Line project as an example of that commitment. Of course, this event was about the start of construction on a major highway project, so the two were doing what they could to put on their “green” hats and wave the flag for transit.
Even still, I?m a bit surprised that the governor would veto House and Senate bills that would have established a Citizens Advisory Council to run during the duration of the project. I suspect that the veto was due in larger part to the provisions that would have established funds to pay home owners and businesses for the taking of land or for the disruption to business. These can be double-edged swords in that they can amount to a blank check.
The state already has enough problems with the 50 or so homes it will need to take and pay for to build the InterCounty Connector between Montgomery and Prince George?s counties. Many of those homes are in the $400,000 to $600,000 price range and will cost the state a bundle. Even still, the provision to have residents and businesses involved in a project as significant as the Red Line should not be overlooked, especially when there are big potential costs/impacts involved. A project like this will be beneficial to many but could also result in disruption to business and the loss of homes, and these groups should have a say in the process.
Will MTA go the E-ZPass route for buses?
Betty writes: “I read an article you wrote concerning the E-ZPass and that it will be a big part of our life on [Interstate] 95. Can you let me know why the MTA has not gone that route with the commuter buses? Rather than sitting on a hot bus waiting to hand a piece of paper to the toll booth operator we could make it a smooth commute through theE-ZPass line. Any ideas?”
My idea is that there is no good argument for the state?s transit arm to not make the trip as smooth and as quick as possible. Why should riders have to wait on a bus while the driver waits to hand the toll operator a paper coupon when there is a technology that will allow all the passengers to get through more quickly?
I understand that the coupon is a way for the state to keep a record of the buses that go through, and that?s the way it?s been done since the beginning of time (so to speak).
However, the E-ZPass system can do the same thing electronically and do it in a way that speeds the commute and makes the buses even more attractive.
Perhaps there is an issue of repayment insofar as E-ZPass is operated by a separate, private company meaning that the state would end up having to pay itself to use its own facilities but it seems like an agreement could be reached to allow the buses to go through without further payment.
These days anything that can make transit a better option for commuters should be explored, and I would hope that this is now on the state?s radar screen.
Questions, comments, random musings? Write to [email protected].
