By Sandra Emerson, Redlands Daily Facts
Posted: 02/24/15, 12:01 AM PST | Updated: 1 day ago
REDLANDS >> With a voter-approved commuter rail project that would take riders from San Bernardino to Redlands and back looming as early as 2018, local public transit critics are ringing bells over its funding.
But transit officials say a variety of funding sources will cover it.
The $242-million Redlands Passenger Rail Project project seeks to extend rail service from downtown San Bernardino to Redlands on nine miles of right-of-way that belongs to the San Bernardino Associated Governments, the county’s transportation planning authority known as SanBAG.
Voters approved the plan in 2004. That’s when they approved an extension of Measure I, which included taxpayer funding of the Redlands Passenger Rail Project, which was specified in the measure.
Paying for the project is not all from Measure I. It relies on a combination of Measure I bond revenue, state and federal funds and a giant state transportation bond voters approved last year. But local critics of the project, which is set to break ground in 2017, are sceptical.
Larry Leonard, who is part of the Inland Empire Transit Alliance, views the rail as unsustainable, because ticket sales would not cover the annual operations and maintenance of running a train service. Between 720 to 820 daily riders are estimated to use the Redlands route in 2018 and between 1,120 and 1,340 daily riders in 2038.
For Leonard, the idea that even federal money will help fund the project is not realistic. And taxpayers will pay for that, he worries.
“Everybody says this is free because they got federal grants,” he said. “Well, federal grants aren’t free. There’s no free lunch, so the people of this area here will have to decide how much they’re going to pay for this devil.”
The San Bernardino Associated Governments, or SanBAG, administers Measure I revenue. The funds are allocated based on a strategic plan. The SanBAG board of directors in April 2009 approved the strategic plan for the 2010-40 Measure I revenue.
Measure I sets aside 8 percent of revenue for rail projects, including the Redlands Passenger Rail and extension of the L.A. Metro Gold Line light rail.
Measure I funding will make up about 46 percent of the project’s total $242 million estimated cost, said Justin Fornelli, chief of transit and rail programs with SanBAG.
The remaining costs will be provided through state and federal funds, including Proposition 1B — the state’s transportation bond program, the Transportation Development Act, Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Funds, grants and private funds.
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Who is this Leonard guy? No transit project ever “pays for its operations” except maybe a few High Speed Rail lines worldwide.
Transit is always going to require a subsidy, and the thinking is that the taxpayer subsidy to offset the costs of operations not covered by ticket sales has greater value for the region by spurring greater mobility from fewer vehicles on the road, cleaner air for the same reason, and economic development around the rail station.
Extending Metrolink all the way into Redlands is a terrific concept and hopefully gets done soon. I can’t believe someone like Larry Leonard can call himself part of a Transit Alliance but not even understand basic math when it comes to transit projects.
THE GREAT REDLANDS TRAIN ROBBERY
The residents of Redlands are being robbed of their community, dignity and self determination by the Rail to Redlands project currently under construction.
The Taxpayers of Redlands are being robbed because the project is not fully funded by existing sales tax.
Redlands will be required to pay for the massive parking structures, dozens of traffic signal modifications, street modifications, and rail station appurtenances costing untold Millions of additional dollars to the City residents.
South Redlands businesses will be robbed of their customers because consumers will avoid the impossible gridlock of new traffic congestion.
San Bernardino Airport and Ontario Airport are being robbed from being connected to existing Metrolink service routes.
We Are Not Against Trains
IETA is not against trains. It is against this particular train route that will destroy the community of Redlands and everything that makes it the best place to live in Southern California. Study the train route and see which of the grade crossings you will be stuck at when it is already hard enough to get to the freeway. Compare how traffic patterns will impact your business. Read the Environmental Impact Report that contains many warnings about the many severe impacts this train imposes on Redland’s residents and businesses.
Most Sustainable Alternative
There are several other better uses for this railway right of way. Many prefer it to be used as a Human Corridor for the movement and use of non motorized transportation. Bicycles and trains do not mix. Railroad grade crossings are dangerous to all humans including pedestrians and cyclists.
Where the Money Should Be Used
SANBAG train funding should be used to connect Metrolink to regional airports and for double tracking existing train route to Los Angeles to provide for express trains. The existing Metrolink rail stations are run down, dirty, full of trash, debris and ridership has already been decreasing.
Redlands Deserves Better
The Rail to Redlands project is already under construction with the first mile of track costing $104 Million. How much do you think the next Nine miles will cost?
Redlands deserves better than this. Local politicians from Redlands are paid handsomely by SANBAG to attend board meetings where they are expected to go along with any and all of the planner’s schemes to forever destroy your town and way of life.
Don’t Get Railroaded
What are you willing to do to stop this crazy train? Together, we can do it. Stand up and say NO to this train route. Act NOW!