Archive for October 30th, 2008

City of Phoenix proposing bus fair increase – Read the Republic article HERE. It will be fun to watch and see if our neighbors up north can pull this off.

If you remember a few months back,  Tucson city government almost crumbled over a proposed .25 cent bus fare increase.  Here is a timeline of events from the Star:

1. Hein submitted a budget to M&C showing a large loss at Sun Tran.

Then – read more about the story by clicking.

2. Uhlich accused Hein of lowering the subsidy for Sun Tran, causing a shortfall that forced the council to consider a hike in bus fares. Uhlich demanded to the AZ Star editorial board that Hein:  ”own his mistakes” — apologize and explain why the $36 million general fund subsidy of Sun Tran and Van Tran was reduced in the next two years’ budgets.

3. Hein fired off an e-mail earlier Thursday in which he slammed council aides for meddling in council affairs and took offense at the council’s implication he had purposely cut the transit-fund subsidy to hurt the poor.

Pima County voters approved the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) financing in 2006.  I can bet you that the road builders, engineers, underground utility contractors, landscaping companies to name a few,  are dying to know; WHEN CAN THEY GET TO WORK? All the above put there effort and support behind getting the measure passed and are anxious to get to work.

Conservation Corps - Circa 1935

Flashback to the great depression, a far cry from today’s financial troubles but maybe we can learn something. FDR started the the Civilian Conservation Corps and invested heavily in the US infrastructure and park systems as a way to get the country back to work and stimulate the economy. Our very own Sabino Canyon got a little  of the trickled down benefits.  An asset bubble in 1986 caused Japan to experience a terrible economic downturn what followed was called the lost decade. Japan used infrastructure and public works investments as a way to get their economy back on track.

Pima County could use a little stimulus right about now.

The RTA plan included a .5 cent county wide sales tax and a commercial rent tax (as a landlord I’m not nuts about that one).  There was a full court press from the business community, neighborhood and environmental groups and government to finally take a long range look at regional transportation. The County must start releasing the major projects that are quick and easy to start. Tangerine, much of La Canada jump out right off the top.

I’ve been digging for the actual numbers but from my recollection;

• Tucson tried a total of 5 times unsuccessfully to pass a transportation initiative
• Maricopa County passed their regional transportation financing 20 years ago.
• Maricopa has been pouring in $300 million a year into capital road improvements – for 20 years!
• Couple this spending with a disproportionate share state spending and you can see how far they’ve come.

Notice the lack of anything resembling a networked freeway system. We are a community of over 1 million people and surface streets continue to be the main way we get across town. It’s too late to create an ideal freeway system so we have to work with what we’ve got.

Conentric circles expanding out from a town center with linking spokes. This system creates a managable system to get around quickly and plans for growth. Take a look at Houston’s infrastructure as an example;

The Tucson Regional Town Hall, found that our regions actual transporation needs exceed $6 billion. The  RTA’s $2.1 billion is well short, but it’s a start.

We have the need, the financing, the plan and willing contractors, all we need now is for the government agencies to open the spigot and get the money FLOWING!

You can reveiw the actual RTA plan HERE.