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Opinion
Published Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001, in the San Jose Mercury News
The time for BART to S.J. is now
BY CARL GUARDINO AND JUDE BARRY
Timing is everything. Last year, the economy was at its peak and
traffic was at its worst. So, voters were in a mood to do something
big and bold.
They overwhelmingly approved Measure A, an unprecedented 30-year, $6
billion transit plan. It included approximately $2 billion to pay the
local share of BART to San Jose, the measure's signature project that
will cost approximately $4 billion.
Now we must take another critical step to bring BART to San Jose. On
Dec. 19, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) will decide
if BART to San Jose should be considered a major priority for our
region. With MTC's approval, we will be able to effectively compete
for federal transit dollars.
For the sake of all Bay Area commuters, we urge MTC to include BART to
San Jose in its top tier so that we may obtain the final piece of the
funding puzzle for this important project.
Santa Clara County voters and taxpayers know that BART to San Jose is
a clear winner. The Valley Transportation Authority's most recent
study shows that the extension will serve more than 80,000 passengers
a day. It will take more cars off the road than any other transit
option, reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality.
Also, because of its high ridership, BART will help us promote smart
growth: increasing housing opportunities along transit corridors so
that we don't unnecessarily destroy our environment with urban sprawl.
Not only will BART serve 80,000 daily riders, but BART's ridership
also reflects our region's ethnic and economic diversity: Four out of
ten BART riders are people of color, and 42 percent earn less than
$45,000 per year. With six of the eight proposed Santa Clara County
stations planned to serve low-income communities, the line ensures
that our most transit-dependent population will be among the chief
beneficiaries of BART service.
The BART to San Jose project is also a great benefit to Bay Area
commuters. The agreement negotiated between BART and the Santa Clara
Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) delicately and brilliantly
balances the needs of the existing system with the opportunity to
unlock gridlock.
VTA will plan, design, and build the extension consistent with BART
standards and practices. BART will operate and maintain the line. This
agreement creates a seamless system that will for the first time
connect the Bay Area's three major cities with one transit line -- an
important consideration for BART riders and a stimulus for economic
development opportunities in San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland and the
entire region.
In addition, the VTA-BART agreement assures that other important
regional transit projects remain in line for federal transit dollars.
There will be no jeopardy for BART to the San Francisco International
Airport, BART to Warm Springs, and the Oakland Airport connector.
These projects, like BART to San Jose, benefit all Bay Area commuters,
and deserve united regional support.
Finally, BART to San Jose fulfills both the dream and promise of last
year's Measure A campaign. More than 70 percent of Santa Clara County
voters supported the measure. During the campaign, we frequently heard
how it was a tragically missed opportunity that Santa Clara County was
not part of the BART system when it was formed four decades ago.
Like the voters of Santa Clara County, MTC commissioners can correct a
past mistake and take a major step forward. BART to San Jose should be
a top-tier regional transit priority and a major part of the Bay
Area's future.
Again, the timing is right.
_________________________________________________________________
Jude Barry is CEO of Catapult Strategies Inc., a public relations firm
that advises BART. Carl Guardino is CEO of the Silicon Valley
Manufacturing Group. They co-directed the Measure A campaign.
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