Transit and the Future of the Tampa Bay Area

Hillsborough County and the Bay area comprise the largest metropolitan area in the nation not currently served by a comprehensive mass transit system, other than Detroit, which has one in the planning stages. As gas prices spike, the time for mass transit in Hillsborough County has arrived.
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The cost of commuting is soaring and will add downward pressure on suburban property values. Homeowners with little or no equity in outlying homesteads could be forced to abandon their property to find residences closer in due to the cost of getting to work each day. When the first American suburbs were built, developers actually created rail systems linking them with city centers as a selling point. The value of mass transit service to property owners and communities is going to increase as fuel costs continue to rise. Working families need an alternative to single passenger vehicles to move between school, work and home.

A portion of the cost of every gallon of gas goes, directly or indirectly, to fund the enemies of the United States. The United States can never be secure as long as we are dependent on foreign fuel sources. Mass transit contributes to our national security by reducing our dependence on imported oil.

Global warming is real. Mass transit is ":green" and one of the most important contributions local communities can make towards solving this planetary problem. It is simply the right thing to do for the sake of future generations.

To put in another way, mass transit can protect suburban property values, contribute to our national security and reduce carbon emissions.Â

Progressive Democrats in the Bay Area should, I believe, most strongly promote and encourage the development and funding of a regional mass transit system in the shortest practical time frame. We should put mass transit on a "fast track".

TBARTA is working on a plan for mass transit in the Bay Area. For the most up to date information on this effort, please visit: http://www.tbarta.com/

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