Citizens for Better Transit

by Nick Kasoff
Unfortunately for the future of transit in St. Louis, the advocacy community is dominated by a light rail fetish. Does that sound like a bit much? A fetish is “the attribution of religious or mystical qualities to inanimate objects.” I can think of no other reason why a transit advocate would push for light rail rather than the less expensive, more effective bus rapid transit.

Because Metro runs a bus system which hasn’t been updated since the 1950s, many local transit users have a negative view of buses. But bus rapid transit, or BRT, is a horse of a different color. BRT uses specially designed buses on dramatically different routes, to provide transit that is nearly as fast as rail without the huge cost of a rail line. Several important differences distinguish BRT from traditional bus service:

• Limited stops allow BRT buses to keep moving. Because a traditional bus line is intended to provide pedestrian access over its entire route, it must stop at every intersection. BRT is a “limited access” system with strategically placed stops at much longer intervals.
• Traffic signal prioritization allows BRT buses to move move quickly. Imagine a world where every traffic light was green. Signal technology allows for automatic light changes as BRT buses approach an intersection.
• Purchase of tickets before boarding eliminates delays from fare payment. Local buses must wait as passengers pay for boarding. On BRT buses, tickets are bought at kiosks prior to boarding, much as is done with light rail today.

These factors allow BRT to move more quickly than a local bus, with speed on some systems approaching that of light rail. Bus rapid transit also offers other benefits:

• Much lower cost per route. According to a recent document from Moving Transit Forward, bus rapid transit can be implemented here for $30 million per route, while light rail costs $60 million per mile.
• Flexibility to change routes to meet shifting demand. St. Louis, like many places, is constantly changing. The places we live, work, and play today could be completely different ten years from now. With BRT, you can quickly and economically change. With rail, you’re stuck forever.
• Aesthetic quality comparable to light rail. This is not your father’s Bi-State bus. BRT vehicles are larger, and dramatically different in design, providing accommodations on par with light rail.
• Real-time information providing arrival times. No more asking when the next bus arrives. Real-time displays at bus stops display the next arrival time, using a system updated by a GPS on each bus. And in some systems (here’s an example from Chicago), you can track bus arrivals on the web, or from your cell phone.
• ADA accessible buses provide service for all. Accessibility is important, because the disabled are often transit dependent. With accessible buses, BRT provides the disabled with access to the same service as the rest of us, providing better service for the disabled and reducing the demand for “Call A Ride.”

Citizens for Better Transit believes that BRT is the common sense approach to expanding our transit system. We encourage the folks at Citizens for Modern Transit to visit the website of the National BRT Institute to learn more. And we ask voters to say no to Proposition A, which links Metro’s future to a costly, inefficient light rail expansion.

In fact, bus rapid transit is better transit in every way. That’s why Citizens for Better Transit says yes to BRT, and no to Proposition A.

Finally, for a little background, here’s a short video on BRT in Los Angeles:

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Another day, another 30 second spot full of lies from Citizens for Modern Transit. Shame on the Post-Dispatch for publishing, without any comment or analysis, such blatant lies. Simply put, it would take at least 4 hours to deliver 10,000 people to the stadium for a game.

Fortunately, they allow reader comments. Enjoy!

http://interact.stltoday.com/blogzone/the-platform/uncategorized/2010/02/whos-for-transit-contd/

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The New Metro "30 Year Plan."

See Link to Post-Dispatch article below..

Metro’s Bob Baer was apparently put on the defensive as a result of mounting opposition to the Metro Tax. Baer scrambled to defend Metro’s new 30 year “plan” in the face of opponents who demand details. “30 Year Plan” (read: “MEET THE NEW BOSS, SAME AS THE OLD BOSS”). The “plan” is filled with the same non-sense as all the rest. It’s a typical Metro bait and switch plan. Fact is, voters still don’t know what they’re going to get. And frankly, it’s not in Metro’s best interest (or the best interest of the special interests that drive Metro) to give details.

Metro has utterly failed to explain which light rail route will take priority. Relying on platitudes and feel good politicking, the plan has drawn sharp criticism from Citizens for Better Transit and others, who assert Metro lacks transparency, irresponsibly manages its budget and caters to wealthy special interests such as Edward Jones, Tarlton (construction), and a litany of construction, litigation, and development firms.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/3FC4C5400DFC9B51862576C9000868EA?OpenDocument

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FROM 24th State Blog…

http://www.24thstate.com/2010/02/metro-tax-campaign-using-seiu-phone-bank-for-support.html

Metro Tax Campaign Using SEIU Phone Bank For Support

update: To voice your opposition, head on over to stoptheprop.com or follow on twitter.com/bettertransit.

One of the advantages of sustained research time is being able to connect the dots between different organizations as they push issues onto the Missouri taxpayers.

The latest in scams is the Metro tax, which is yet another attempt to shuffle money to consultants and construction companies at the price of a sensible transportation policy.

I’ll let other people talk about the tax, but I want to draw your attention to the people that are pushing this tax.

Brian Wahby – the City Dems

Joe Keaveney – State Senator (tied at the hip to Wahby)

InsteadofWar – that’s right – the radical peace activist coalition that for someone reason thinks Metro tax money will help stop fighting, or something.

Sierra Club

MOPIRG

Jobs With Justice

Basically, every troll, goblin, newt, shrike, and mushroom cap leftist is on board, which can only mean they are getting paid, and are mobilizing because they know there’s taxpayer money for them.

We saw this in Jefferson County with the 911 Dispatch.  SEIU members and Missouri ProVote were all over their elections, and sought to get council members elected who could shift taxpayer funds back to the progressive groups for activist campaigns.

And so now Jobs with Justice is asking for volunteers for their phone bank to try to drive attention to the Metro tax (which was defeated in November when it was half as much).

One has to ask why groups like InsteadofWar are supporting a Metro tax initiative.  The ANSWER (pun slightly intended) is that these groups are getting money to push it.

The phone bank is run by SEIU MO/KS State Council, the political arm of SEIU.  No doubt that the usual assorted groups of leftwing losers are seeking to make a little scratch, and a reward for sucking up to the county is cash donations.  Sadly, much of the money trail is going to be hidden – we won’t be able to tell who is giving money and who is taking it, but we can be assured that if there is a phone bank, ACORN, SEIU, Missouri ProVote, JobsWithJustice, and the like are getting paid to push the tax.  This is how the siphoned off funds in Jefferson County.  The same cast of characters is at it again, seeking to add hundreds of millions of dollars to the budgets of politicians.

For the rest of the article, go to www.24thstate.com

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This map is 'right on the money.'

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Citizens for Modern Transit, one of several pro-tax Metro mouthpieces in favor of Proposition A (metro tax), recently cut a commercial for the Olympics.  The ad runs Friday, Feb. 12th.

This may not come as a shocker to some, but the ad is really a piece of work. A group of special interests with a lot of money to be gained at taxpayer expense prominently, proudly, and boldly identify themselves to the public.

Featured are Mark Wrighton, Chancellor of wealthy Washington University,Kitty Ratcliffe -- President, St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission, Zelema Harris -- President, St. Louis Community College, Denny DeNarvaez -- President and CEO, St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, Mike Shannon, Al Hrabosky, and Fredbird -- Cardinals broadcasters and entertainers, Joe Edwards -- billed as the “mayor” of the Loop, Thomas R. Voss -- President and CEO, Ameren, Rev. Tommie Pierson -- Pastor, Greater St. Mark Church, Max Starkloff -- President and CEO, Starkloff Disability Institute.

Chancellor Wrighton of Washington University is notable in this ad because tax payers subsidize Wash U heavily. 9.3 MILLION DOLLARS heavily. The fair market value of the services Washington University receives from the Metrolink is roughly 11.5 million dollars. Wash U pays about 2.2 million. THE DISABLED PAY MORE MONEY TO RIDE THE METROLINK THAN ELITE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS! Of course Wrighton is happy about Metrolink. He’s getting a great deal!

Kitty Ratcliffe of the St. Louis Convention and Visitor’s Center is voting for Prop A because again, she and her union buddies stand to make some money off of the deal. More metrolink, more tax dollar subsidies to her organization.

And the same goes for the Cardinals as well. Everybody loves the Cardinals, without doubt. But the question is, why should taxpayers in St. Louis County be asked to subsidize the Cardinals?

Why should the tax payers subsidize all of these special interests?

Too bad the commerical didn’t include, but very well could/should have, bond seller EDWARD JONES*, MAUNE DEVELOPMENT, TARLTON, and the two dozen other special special that donated to the Advance St. Louis pro metro tax campaign…interests that stand to profit at the expense of the tax payer, should Prop A pass.

*Edward Jones has not yet, as far as I know, donated to Advance St. Louis’ pro metro tax, pro Prop A campaign. If they do, you’ll be the first to know.

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"You can trust metro this time...really."

Citizens for Better Transit is Kicking off it’s campaign at the Shrewsbury Metrolink (Lasdowne) on Thursday, Feb. 11th at 11:30 am. See below for press release:

Citizens for Better Transit Kicks Off Campaign Against Prop A (Metro Tax):

Special Interests Ride the Money Train

citizensforbettertransit@gmail.com

Citizens for Better Transit (CBT) is kicking off its campaign against Proposition A, the proposed Metro tax. The kickoff will begin at 11:40 a.m. on Thursday, February 11^th, 2010 at the Shrewsbury Metrolink Station: 7201 Lansdowne Ave. St. Louis, MO 63119.

“John Nations and Charlie Dooley are being led by wealthy special interests rather than concern for the public,” says CBT spokesman John Burns. “Nations and Dooley have adopted a tired strategy of increasing taxes in the middle of a recession. Apparently, nobody ever told them that was a bad idea.”

Nations and Advance St. Louis claim that the light rail and increased mass transit spending will improve the St. Louis economy. Yet, at best the light rail line wouldn’t be completed for 5 years. Whatever the economic impact of the program, it certainly wouldn’t help ease the burden on middle class pocketbooks in the near term.

“This tax has special interests and lack of accountability written all over it,” says Burns. “Special interests are donating vast sums to the pro-tax campaign because they stand to make a lot of money at the tax payers’ expense. Special interests get fat while the tax payer gets thin.”

As of January, Advance St. Louis, the pro metro tax campaign had raised $178,000. Unsurprisingly, the donors all have a vested interest in a massive Metrolink project. From large construction companies, to development companies, to local and national union groups, special interests with much to gain are driving the Advance St. Louis campaign. They’re spending their money on high powered consultants from out of state in order to shape public opinion on the issue.

Metro has developed 4 potential light rail routes, but won’t say which route will be built – assuming the tax passes. “Voters are being asked to blindly fund a light rail line – the path of which, they will have zero ability to decide,” says Burns. “A cabal of elected and unelected officials will make the decision for the public instead of voters. Makes sense, why would a taxpayer in South County vote to tax herself for the purpose of building a light rail line she’ll never have the opportunity to use?”

Less than 2% of the St. Louis County workforce uses light rail. According to the US Census, approximately 10,300 St. Louis County commuters utilize any kind of mass transit. It would be cheaper to buy a $12,000 car for every St. Louis County mass transit commuter every few years, rather than build more light rail.

Light rail is not a success, and is a disastrous transit model. There isn’t a single revenue neutral light rail system in the US. The costs are severe, federal funding is uncertain, budget shortfalls are inevitable, and it takes years upon years to build even short light rail routes.

The proposed Prop A tax constitutes a 100% metro revenue increase from St. Louis County – in perpetuity, since the tax has no sunset clause. With the amount of money Metro would receive, St. Louis County could literally buy a new car for every mass transit commuter in St. Louis County – every year…forever.

Critical environmental impact studies – required by the federal government as a condition for consideration of federal light rail funds – have not been initiated. It’s very possible that even if the tax passes, the environmental impact study may fail – and federal funds wouldn’t come. “The plan put forth by Metro shows contempt for St. Louis County voters,” said Burns. “The plan has not been developed in good faith. Had it been, the environmental impact studies would already be complete and accepted by the federal government.”

Burns predicts failure for Prop A. “I think the County Council, Dooley, and Nations will find tax payers are mad as hell about the recent $250 million dollar cost overrun on the Shrewsbury light rail line. Why should any voter trust Metro’s word? Metro’s board wasn’t punished for its failures, and Metro isn’t held accountable to voters. Metro is in 30 years worth of debt over the Shrewsbury boondoggle.” The per mile cost was roughly $130 million dollars for that project. Yet, Metro now suggests a $60 million per mile figure for future light rail lines – a clear example of Metro duplicity.

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Judging from the rhetoric of Metro supporters, the public should have a strong interest in the Metro plan. Judging from this photo from their first public meeting, perhaps not. Photo is from KMOX – click on it to see their story.

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