Rep. Culberson feared a Metro bait and switch

As Kevin noted here, Dan Patrick (KSEV-700) interviewed Rep. John Culberson yesterday after the congressman announced his opposition to a light rail line down Richmond Avenue.

Kevin recorded the interview and David Benzion at Lone Star Times posted the mp3s so go listen if you missed it.

An interesting point Rep. Culberson brought up was that he insisted Metro list rail segments on the 2003 ballot because he feared Metro would attempt a bait and switch, just as they are now trying to do. He said he believes Metro intended to run a rail line down Richmond from the beginning, but the old Metro board put Westpark on the ballot to gain votes and was not thinking about ridership. They knew they couldn't get the votes they needed if Richmond was on the ballot. Rep. Culberson said Metro's new leadership IS focused on ridership rather than popularity with voters, and is therefore pushing for Richmond.

But there is that little problem of the 2003 referendum.

Rep. Culberson also said that in 2003 Metro adopted a resolution, at his insistence, that said the referendum and the rail lines listed on the referendum were a contract between Metro and the voters, and that Metro could not alter, amend or change what the voters had approved without another election. He said he wanted Metro to honor its word.

That's quite a bit different from what Metro's George Smalley was saying when the New Metro Solutions plan was announced:

Smalley said the changes are covered by a footnote to the ballot resolution that says: "Final scope, length of rail segments or lines, and other details, together with implementation schedule, will be based upon demand and completion of the project development process including community input."

Do you think Metro's website includes a link to that 2003 resolution? I can't find it. If you find it, please let me know.

AUDIO: Culberson interview Part One (Richmond rail), Part Two (November elections).

Posted by Anne Linehan @ 08/02/06 07:48 PM | Houston Transit | Print | Comments (3)

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