For many workers, Tri-Rail is a godsend. Without it, some of the 15,000 daily Tri-Rail commuters would have to either give up their jobs, or drastically reduce other spending to provide for substitute transportation.
Sure, there are some who will never take Tri-Rail to work. But, that’s OK, because those who do take many cars off the road that otherwise would add to congestion, pollution and dependence on foreign oil.
Some are opposed to subsidizing Tri-Rail, but at the same time forget that all our sidewalks and streets are subsidized. In fact, there are no public transportation systems anywhere in the world that are not subsidized. All great cities have comprehensive public transportation systems — e.g. New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., London, Paris, Rome, etc.
In the past, South Florida solved its transportation problems by laying more asphalt. Now we are at the point where we are running out of land to expand existing roads or build new roads. Transportation experts such as Jim Wolfe, secretary of Florida Department of Transportation District 4, and Palm Beach County Commission Chairman Jeff Koons have warned that I-95 cannot be widened anymore, and that the future solution to road congestion is public transportation. Of course, building a complete public transportation system requires additional public investments.
Until now, Tri-Rail has received about $7 million annually from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties — for a total of $21 million a year. Each of these counties has been chipping in extra funds over and above the state-mandated. But the steep drop in real estate valuations has stunted county revenues, which may force cuts in expenditures.
For three or four years, Tri-Rail and locally elected officials have been pleading with our state legislators to find a dedicated source of revenue to relieve the three counties of their burdensome contribution. One viable possibility is a $2 rental car surcharge.
State legislators have listened, but have failed to act. During this past Legislative session, Tri-Rail funding was added to a $2.66 billion bill for building a Central Florida commuter rail system. That bill failed, and with it the much needed dedicated revenue source for Tri-Rail.
Several state senators recently sent a letter to Gov. Crist pleading for the necessary funds to support Tri-Rail until next year, when the legislators meet again. Without new funding, Tri-Rail will be forced to drastically cut back service, thereby jeopardizing its very existence. In addition, if Tri-Rail fails, the state will be on the hook for repaying the federal government for millions of dollars of previous expenditures.
Tri-Rail must be saved. South Florida’s very future depends upon it.
Jim Smith, Chairman
Safety As Floridians Expect (SAFE)
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