 |
 |
 |
 |
"Our over-reliance on cars and $4-per-gallon gasoline has led us to dig a really deep hole for ourselves. The Purple Line is the ladder that helps us climb up out of this hole toward the light of rational land use, friendly commutes and a stable climate." Mike Tidwell, director of CCAN |  |
 |
 |
 |
  
|
|
|
         |
|
|
|
Newsletter of the Coalition to Build the Inner Purple Line March 27, 2007 In this issue:
1) STUDY DELAY MADE OFFICIAL, PURPLE LINE PLANNERS REGROUP In late February Maryland DOT Secretary, John Porcari, announced that the model being used to forecast ridership for the Purple Line (among other transit projects) is flawed as it significantly underestimates current transit ridership. MDOT is working to solve the problem, but now estimates that the Purple Line Environmental Impact Study (EIS) hearings will not be held until spring, 2008 -- a delay of more than nine months. Mr. Porcari reported that the new MTA administrator, Paul J. Wiedefeld, starts in early March, and that one of his top priorities will be to resolve this modeling issue as it is delaying three transit EIS studies. The forecasting model used for the Purple Line and Corridor Cities Transitway studies are based on the Council of Governments’ (COG) regional travel forecasting model. The COG model is required by federal law, in part, to project conformance to regional air quality goals. But the model must be refined for a specific project area and/or transit line being studied. Apparently, it is at this calibration stage that the model became suspect, for it underestimates current transit ridership rates at Shady Grove Metro. Concerns have also been expressed that the model has a history of underpredicting transit ridership in the urban, walkable parts of the metropolitan area. After four years of frustratingly slow progress in the planning of the Purple Line, this schedule delay is disappointing. The Coalition has written Mr. Porcari to support efforts to address the modeling problem, while also urging him and his new MTA Administrator to take tangible steps to move the Purple Line forward. 2) COALITION PROPOSES CHARRETTE FOR TOUGH ALIGNMENT ISSUES The Coalition has recommended the use of charrettes (intensive design sessions) to refine options for the challenging eastern Silver Spring segment of the Purple Line. The proposal was submitted to members of the Montgomery County Council and District 20 delegation as well as to MDOT. The College Park segment might also benefit from this planning tool. 3) STREETCARS MAKING A COMEBACK Most people know that the streetcar was the precursor of light rail. Streetcars generally operated in traffic, and were single-unit trains (the Purple Line light rail would probably be two or three train cars connected together with one driver). While streetcars are limited in their ability to carry large numbers of people on regular schedules, interest in the restoration of streetcar systems has been growing. Cities from Cincinatti to Takoma Washington are looking to restore or add lines. The City of Portland, notable for its light rail, found value in adding lower capacity street car lines to its rail transit network with the addition of a 6 mile line connecting Riverplace Marina with Northwest Portland in 2001. A 2004 report, The Streetcar Renaissance stimulated thought about considering streetcars for transit improvements. The report summarizes changes in the industry in both North America and Europe. While all but 7 North American cities abandoned street car lines by the 1960s, many European cities maintained lines and recognized the value of streetcars to fill the gap between buses and high-capacity rail systems. Rather than allowing historic areas to become overrun with automobiles, many European cities experimented with transit malls and other limited access options, while also improving technology of the systems in a variety of ways. By the late 1970s, more than 30 European cities that had abandoned their earlier systems built new ones (see our article on Paris in the February 2007 newsletter). More recently, the movement got a boost when a national smart growth group, Reconnecting America, issued a “Street Smart” report promoting the reestablishment of streetcar lines. 4) LIGHT RAIL’S POSITIVE IMPACT ON PROPERTY VALUES The State of New Jersey is embarking on a study of the Hudson-Bergen light rail line, as evidence mounts of its positive impact on property values in the region. Joseph Ryan, the City of Bayonne’s Public Information Director, doesn’t need the study to have reached his own conclusion. He reported that property values in the community have increased more than 140% since the light rail opened in 2000. The study is expected to be completed in April. Ryan: If you don't document, people can say these are boondoggles. These kinds of systems promote a very positive lifestyle. The light rail line runs for 20.5 miles and has 25 stations between North Bergen, Jersey City and Bayonne. The average weekday ridership is about 27,200, a figure that increased 16% when the system was extended 1.5 miles. Ridership can be expected to continue to grow given the tremendous revitalization unfolding along the entire length of the line. A 7-mile, 6-station extension to Ridgefield, N.J. is in the works, and the state is also studying an extension to the Meadowlands sports complex. See: New Jersey Property Values 5) SHORT RIDES HAMPTON ROADS LIGHT RAIL PROJECT IN TROUBLE Norfolk Virginia’s proposed LRT project was downgraded to "medium" by the Federal Transit Administration because of fears that the project budget can not be maintained. The State of Virginia hoped to get a federal contribution of $128 million for the $232 million project. See: NARP Hotline 489 FTA REGULATIONS MAY DISCOURAGE TRANSIT PROJECTS In a hearing last month, representative James L. Oberstar, (D-Mn), Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, spoke against current FTA regulations claiming that they discourage new start projects like the Purple Line. “They’re not a transit friendly administration”, he said. Rep. Oberstar believes the FTA’s cost effectiveness index is excessive and leads localities to “entertain reductions in scope that are politically unpalatable and operationally counterproductive”. See: Twin Cities TORONTO, LIKE MARYLAND, LOOKS TO LIGHT RAIL “The escalating cost of building new subway lines in the Toronto area has been an issue for some time. The majority of the high cost is the construction of tunnels. A cheaper alternate form of transit must be looked at. The best and cheapest alternative to subways is light rail transit…” See: Toronto Light Rail PA GOVERNER CALLS FOR HIGHER OIL TAXES TO SUPPORT TRANSIT Governor Edward G. Rendell (D-PA) expressed his belief that it is simply good public policy to increase the cost of consuming oil while generating support for the best alternative to driving – mast transit. The Southeast Pennsylvania Transit Authority is facing a budget shortfall of $130 million. Governor Rendell proposes a new 6.17 percent tax on oil companies’ gross profits, which would raise $760 million a year for transit. Raising the gas tax was rejected as an option for transit. The tax is already high in Pennsylvania and is dedicated to highway funding. See: Philadelphia Enquirer Feb 19, 2007 2006 ELECTION RESULTS A complete listing of transportation results from the 2006 election can be seen at the Center for Transportation Excellence SEATTLE GETS MILLIONS TOWARDS LRT EXTENSION Feb 7, 2007 – The FY 09 federal budget included $10 million as a down payment on the anticipated $750 million federal contribution for the for Seattle light rail extension. The 3.15-mile transit link will connect to the University of Washington. See: Seattle Light Rail Extension JAPAN JOINS EUROPE IN MAJOR EMBRACE OF LIGHT RAIL Last Spring, Toyama, a city of close to half a million people, opened a new light rail line, the first of ten lines planned to be open in Japanese cities by 2016. See Light Rail in Japan 6) BECOME A FRIEND OF THE PURPLE LINE We need your help to move the Purple Line forward. We are launching a major fundraising drive to do the advocacy work that will be required to build the Purple Line. How You Can Help 7) NEWS FROM THE COALITION The Coalition welcomes the North College Park Citizens Association to the ranks of the purple line advocates. Congratulations are due to CBIPL Board member Andrew M. Fellows, Councilmember of the City of College Park and an environmental professional with Clean Water Action. Mr. Fellows has been named vice-chair of the Transportation Planning Board. Welcome to new Coalition board member Lisa Fadden, of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. Lisa fills Richard N. Parsons' seat who left his position as Chamber CEO last year to join Rodgers Consulting, Inc. as COO. More Board transitions will be announced after the Coalition’s annual meeting in early May. 8) THIS NEWSLETTER This newsletter is produced by volunteer supporters of the Coalition to Build the Inner Purple Line (CBIPL) which was formed in January, 2003 by business, labor, environmental and community organizations to promote the light rail transit line connecting Bethesda, Silver Spring, Takoma/Langley Crossroads, College Park and the University of Maryland, Riverdale Park and New Carrollton. The Coalition supports completion of the hiker-biker trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring, as well as pedestrian enhancements as part of the transit project elsewhere along the alignment.
|
|
|
|
|
 
68,000 riders each weekday is huge! Counting down to completion of Purple Line DEIS; Latest news: Latest News; How you can help 
See: We need you to help keep the Purple Line a state and county priority. Write a letter, make a call or send an e-mail in support of the Purple Line today. See: Contact List |
|
  
|