Transit Funds

Gasoline prices are higher and only going higher still in the future. When gas costs $5 and then $8 a gallon, we'll have to change our practices. California has spent trillions on car-oriented, low density suburbs. We will have to spend much to rebuild cities that allow for people to get around without a car.

One thing we can do now is use available funds for mass transit: the TDA money is routinely raided for car expenses by every jurisdiction in this county except SLO and Morro Bay. The State Transit Assistance (STA) fund can be used for either capital or operating needs. The governor is proposing to raid 1.3 billion from the STA, funding for transit operations not subject to the rigorous findings of the "unmet needs process" in which the "reasonable to meet" criteria disqualify many crying needs based on speculation that required farebox ratios will not be met.

Regional Sunday service would cease to exist if support from the STA were gone. On Route 9 we would lose 3 daily weekday round trips currently STA funded. How would drivers feel if the Cuesta Grade were shut down all day Sunday and from 5:33 pm until the next morning every day?