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Wednesday, October 07, 2009

New Transportation Spending Goals Needed

By Isaac Benton
Albuquerque City Councilor
and Katie Lobosco
NM PIRG Program Associate
      On Sept. 30, the nation's surface transportation law expired. The five-year law spent nearly $300 billion in taxpayer funds to build and maintain the nation's roads and public transportation. Looking at the results, it's hard to consider that money well spent.
       Americans spend more time than ever stuck in traffic; almost an entire work week each year per commuter. We are increasingly concerned about our sluggish economy, dependence on foreign oil, and aging bridges and overpasses. Sadly, Congress has so far only managed to pass a temporary extension of the same old spending rules that keep our broken system limping along.
       With health care and climate legislation dominating so much of the debate this fall, it's understandable that Congress has delayed action on the transportation bill. But another year should not go by without a concrete plan to maximize taxpayer investment and jump start real change. America needs a new transportation plan that spends money more wisely, focuses on repairing our crumbling roads and bridges before building new ones, and rewards local strategies that make it easier to drive less.
       Americans are ready for a change; a majority say they'd take public transportation if it were easily available where they live and work. Just imagine how many more New Mexicans would bike with an increase in the number of bike paths, and how many more people would ride the bus here in Albuquerque if it ran more frequently and after 8 p.m.
       The short-term extension that Congress recently passed will fund the current dysfunctional system for another month, but it does nothing to bring about needed change. Legislators saw little choice but to quickly extend funds rather than cause construction projects across the country to grind to a halt.
       When Congress finally turns its attention to the next transportation bill, it should take the lead from bills in the U.S. House and Senate that would establish “National Transportation Objectives” and target future spending to develop a cleaner, more efficient system. The House bill would seek to reduce the number of miles Americans drive, while tripling trips on public transit, bicycles, or walking. It contains achievable goals to reduce air pollution and consumer transportation costs, repair roads and bridges, and provide better transit access for seniors, disabled people and people with low incomes.
       Meaningful change in the way America funds transportation won't happen on its own. The first step is committing to goals that will bring about real changes in how we prioritize and fund transportation projects.
       

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