Mayor and Metro Bigs: no vote needed on new Metro plan
A KTRH-740 newsbreak just had a blurb saying that Mayor White and Metro officials do not see a need for a vote on Metro's new expansion plan, since it differs from the original Metro Solutions plan. Here's what voters approved in 2003:
* 72 miles of additional rail service
* 50% more bus service
* Signature Express bus service
* 250 miles of two-way,
all day Park & Ride service
* Nine new Park & Ride lots
* Nine new Transit Centers
* and more!
And here's what Metro's press release says in announcing the new plan:
The program calls for $1.3 billion in high quality guideway rapid transit. Fifty-five percent (55%), or slightly over $700 million, is committed to rapid transit rail services and the balance of approximately $575 million will be allocated to rapid transit bus systems. This represents 40% more fixed guideway transit than previously planned. All 30 miles will include rail and track structures identical to those currently on the Main St. line. The conversion of Bus Rapid Transit to rail will be quick, easy and affordable. When ridership grows to sufficiently high levels, the conversion will be made.
The implementation plan also includes more miles of commuter rail than were in the Referendum plan, as well as 40 miles of Signature Express/Suburban BRT instead of 14.
And here's the key paragraph from yesterday's Chronicle story:
The plan White and Metro unveiled includes some elements that go beyond what voters approved in the November 2003 Metro Solutions referendum, but other aspects were scaled back to reduce costs.
Rep. John Culberson said this morning on Edd Hendee's show (KSEV-700), that he thought maybe a new vote was needed, yet on the KTRH newsbreak Rep. Culberson said he would leave the need for a vote up to Metro officials and Mayor White. Gee thanks! Let me guess...Metro officials and Mayor White don't think a new vote is needed.
Ding, ding, ding!
Edd Hendee also asked Rep. Culberson why Mayor White got to determine this new plan. Hendee wanted to know why Harris County Judge Robert Eckels wasn't involved in this, especially since Metro's taxing jurisdiction goes far beyond Mayor White's reach. Rep. Culberson didn't have an answer.
All you have to do is take a look at this Chronicle illustration of Metro's new plan to see what Hendee's point is.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 06/14/05 05:10 PM | Print |
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