Transit raises its voice: backed by a broad-based coalition of citizens' groups, state and local leaders are demanding more for mass transit, less for highways; sharply higher gas taxes could produce the funds

Railway Age, April, 1991 by Jessica Stern

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The Campaign for New Transportation Priorities, a coalition of 37 environmental, labor, and consumer groups, has released alternative recommendations to the Bush Administration's highway reauthorization bill. The war in the Gulf underscores the wisdom of establishing a more energy-efficient U.S. transportation system," said Harriet Parcells, CNTP's project director. Federal funding for mass transit, bicycling, intercity passenger rail and ridesharing must be greatly increased at this critical juncture in transportation policy."

State and city officials converged on Washington for the coalition's Capitol Hill rally March 12, among them New Jersey Governor Jim Florio, honorary co-chairman of the group.

Noting that federal highway spending has soared 85% over the last decade while mass transit funding has dropped almost 50%, Florio said, "We've got to change some priorities. "

"We're not out to get rid of cars, but we think Americans want to have a choice because it's been shown that where people do have a choice, more and more are leaving their cars at home," said Florio.

Houston Mayor Kathy Whitmire, also an honorary co-chair, said Houston wanted to build a light rail network to relieve stress on a bus system whose ridership has doubled in the last decade. The federal government has to be our partner, " she said. " It's time for Congress to show some leadership and say we want an emphasis on public transit in our nation ... It's time to note that one light rail line can carry as many people as an eight-lane highway. "

Louis Gambaccini, general manager of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, called the administration bill "a disaster" and warned that air pollution, congestion and energy dependency are taking a toll on the nation's economy. "

The Bush proposal would hold mass transit spending at $3.3 billion annually for the next five years, with the ratio of highway to mass transit spending going from the present 5-to-1 to 8-to-1. The state share of federal highway funds would be based on vehicle miles traveled and the use of fuel.

The existing transportation law expires in October.

Curbing the appetite for oil. CNTP recommendations call for adopting a national policy aimed at reducing the number of metropolitan trips made by single-occupant autos from the present 65% to 40% by the year 2020.

A substantial increase in the federal gasoline tax, using a portion of the revenue for energy-efficient alternatives to single-occupant autos, would provide strong incentive for Americans to save energy by driving less, using mass transit, ridesharing, and more fuel-efficient cars. A $1 per gallon tax increase would reduce crude oil imports by an estimated two million barrels per day and raise about $80 billion in net tax revenues.

Pointing to federal tax policies as a central factor in the country's drive-alone habit, Parcells says that U.S. gasoline prices are far below those of other industrialized nations, "underpricing the value of a nonrenewable resource." Per capita gasoline consumption in the U.S. is four and a half times higher than in Europe, with transportation consuming two thirds of oil used.

Recognizing that all forms of travel have higher social costs during peak travel periods, a mechanism should be introduced for variable travel cost based on time of day and distance of travel. This type of charge would be especially efficient if used to support and invest in alternatives to single occupant vehicles.

CNTP also proposes increased flexibility in the use of highway money to fund mass transit, bicycling, Amtrak and ridesharing, as well as the purchase of abandoned railroad rights-of-way by state and local governments. Receipt of federal highway money by state and local governments would require states to submit a Transportation Demand Management Plan to the federal DOT, which would be updated every three years and include measures to promote auto alternatives, to encourage efficient use of autos (such as ridesharing), and to discourage auto use through disincentives.

* $11 billion a year for transit? other CNTP recommendations call for:

Federal mass transit funding of at least $6.5 billion in FY 1992, rising to $11 billion by 1996. CNTP cites the American Public Transit Association's Transportation 2000 report, which says federal funding should be increased to at least $11 billion, of which $5.7 billion would go to essential reinvestment and the remainder to capacity expansion. The figures reflect backlog of transit repair, replacement, and rehabilitation needs and the cost of expanded capacity to meet the goal of increased use. The report notes that even without a commitment to increase transit use, federal funding of $6-8 billion yearly is the minimal level needed for reinvestment in existing projects, and to complete projects already underway.

Improving coordination of transportation and land use planning by Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and increased federal funding for this planning. CNTP suggests tying federal matching grants for transportation investments to compliance with regional land use planning and growth management for all metropolitan areas with populations above 50,000.