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Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Running on Stimulus Cash
By Lloyd Jojola
Copyright © 2010 Albuquerque Journal
Journal Staff Writer
For those tracking the use of federal stimulus dollars, add the Rail Runner Express commuter train to the list.
The state has been counting on more than $643,000 in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money to help pay for the state-owned system's operations this fiscal year — essentially money to cover service on Sundays.
Stimulus money is intended to create and save jobs, spur economic activity and "invest in long-term economic growth."
The state justifies using such money for the train because doing so will preserve jobs for those who run and take care of the mass transit system while benefiting local economies along the rail line as commuters, shoppers and tourists spend money.
Mark Slimp, state Department of Transportation spokesman, pointed to the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Action Team leaders and other business people who expressed support for the system when officials last month raised the idea of ending weekend service.
But one member of the Rio Metro Regional Transit District board questions use of the money.
"My concern with using the stimulus money is the fact that, if we're covering recurring expenses, what are we going to do in the future?" said Larry Abraham, mayor of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque. "That's always been my concern."
"All we're doing is pushing the problem forward. We really need to address the expenses now rather than later."
Train critic Paul J. Gessing of the Rio Grande Foundation said Gov. Bill Richardson has made it clear he will use any funding source — including stimulus money — to keep the commuter line running, regardless of cost. "It seems to be that whatever Rail Runner wants, Rail Runner gets," Gessing said. "It boggles the mind that they think it's stimulus activity."
Rail Runner weekend fares will increase and some Saturday runs will be suspended starting this weekend. Those actions were taken to help cover a budget shortfall, which was still projected to be $750,000, despite the stimulus money.
Richardson announced that federal Surface Transportation funds would be converted to Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funds to cover the shortfall.
The train's operating budget this fiscal year is about $22 million, with $12million expected to come from gross receipts tax revenue, about $2.9 million from fares and the rest from a combination of other sources.
Sunday service was a promise Richardson made last summer during the opening of the train's Santa Fe County/N.M. 599 station.
"More and more people are utilizing the Rail Runner for work, play or an easy way to get to the airport, and I am confident that adding Sunday service — and running the train seven days a week — will be a hit," Richardson said that day in July.
Slimp said the $643,500 in stimulus money for the rail system would come from stimulus money the state is receiving for general government services.
Slimp, in a written response to Journal questions, said one rationale for using the stimulus money is that Rail Runner "provides commute trips to workers, who are saving money by using the train instead of driving their car. These savings can and are being spent in the local economy."
Journal Staff Writer Charles Brunt contributed to this report.
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