BIKE: Cap Met's Vehicle Choice is No Choice, Yet

[Mike Dahmus]

David Dobbs wrote:

> The important thing November 2nd is to enable the transit authority to 
> move off its current no-win situation of being used as a cash cow for 
> Central Texas road projects.
>
> As Fred Merideth put it (18 October), "I'm voting for the commuter 
> rail. We need options."
>
> There will be no options if this doesn't pass.

In fact, it will be difficult to defend Capital Metro's money if this 
election doesn't pass. However, it will be even MORE difficult to defend 
Capital Metro's money if this election does pass, and the rail service 
meets my expectations (matching the performance of South Florida's 
Tri-Rail, the only other new start rail plan relying exclusively on 
shuttle buses for passenger distribution). At that point, we will have 
SHOWN that "rail doesn't work in Austin", and the long-term 
justification for at least 1/4 cent of Capital Metro's money will be gone.

The position, however, that we will definitely lose the money after an 
election failure fails to compel on two counts:

1. We didn't permanently lose the money in 2000
2. Even if we do 'lose' the money, it's going to be easier to get it 
back if we don't have a rail system on the ground SHOWING people that 
"rail doesn't work in Austin".

Keep in mind, if you doubt me that commuter rail won't work, that:

1. Most of the people in 2000 who said they wanted light rail get no 
rail service from the starter line, and most of that most don't get rail 
service in the long-range plan either.

2. The people who ARE being delivered rail service are the people who, 
in 2000, were most against light rail.

3. Those lucky few being delivered rail service are precisely the people 
who have been the LEAST WILLING to ride buses, and yet in order to use 
this rail line, they're going to have to ride a bus every single day.

4. In order to improve this line in any way, shape, or form, a follow-on 
election must be held. Does anybody think that's going to be easy to 
sell, what with the pro-rail PAC telling everybody that we're following 
a "vote on every step" plan so they can evaluate rail's performance each 
time before approving more?

At worst, I urge all of you to remember the Great Shoal Creek Debacle Of 
Aught-Aught. Is anybody willing to argue with me NOW that I was wrong 
back then? Want to bet against me again?

- MD