Economic Updates From Sen. Will Espero

Del.icio.us

We have had opportunities to build a rail system, but the political will has been missing. In the 70s, Mayor Frank Fasi’s rail project would have been 90 percent funded by the federal government. With his election loss back then, the new mayor ended the project.

If we had built a system in 1992, Oahu residents would be utilizing it today. It’s possible a spur to Ko Olina, Mililani and Kahala Mall would have been completed. Unfortunately, the 5-4 vote by the City Council ended the project, and traffic has gotten worse since then.

Now is the time to make certain a rail transit system is built, and I fully support the City Council’s effort to build a rail system and to allow the voters to decide the issue.

Other transportation alternatives such as the ZipperLane, high-occupancy vehicle lanes, contra-flow, carpooling, vanpooling, more buses, widened roads, new roads, ferries and telecommuting have been considered and tried.

Our bus system is one of the best in the nation, but it is almost at capacity. Moreover, expanding the bus system just adds more buses to the traffic congestion. With the rail, bus routes will be changed, and a feeder bus system will take commuters to the rail station from their neighborhoods.

When one looks at the capacity of rail versus the capacity of vehicles, rail is more friendly to the environment than cars and trucks. A rail system will expel less carbon into the air, and with rail being powered by electricity, the incentive is present to work aggressively to use more solar, wind, wave and garbage-to-energy alternatives in order to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

Buses and cars also are affected by stalled vehicles, flat tires, accidents, debris on the road, rainy weather and potholes. An elevated rail system will bypass these obstacles.

Some residents are lobbying for a toll road from West Oahu to downtown, but in time, a toll road will also become congested. It is estimated that an additional 250,000 people will live on Oahu in the next 20 to 30 years, and it is likely most of them will live in West or Central Oahu. More jobs in West Oahu are also being implemented, but more jobs will not solve the traffic problem. We need to build an alternative that will get people out of their vehicles. A rail system is that alternative; a toll road encourages more driving.

Transit-oriented developments (TODs) are expected around rail stations, and this will be a way to deal with our growing population. Higher-density housing units around rail stations could provide more affordable housing, and the need to own a car could be eliminated. Health facilities, childcare, restaurants, retail stores and other establishments built as TODs will stimulate the real estate around the rail stations, in turn keeping the country country.

Many opponents say we cannot afford to build a rail system. I firmly believe we cannot afford not to build a system that will benefit us and future generation. The half percent increase the state Legislature approved will pay for the majority of the project. Tourist spending will also contribute to the rail system, and with 7 million visitors a year, their contribution will be significant. Through our federal congressional delegation, we are expecting hundreds of millions of dollars as well.

Opponents have also said the rail is about real estate development and not traffic relief. It is true that the rail will not end traffic on our roads, but by 2030, the reduction in traffic is projected to be about 11 percent. Without rail, traffic would get much worse, much sooner. What’s important is an alternative means of transportation, a choice for commuters.

Recently in Berlin, Sen. Barack Obama stated, “This is our moment. This is our time.” For rail, these words couldn’t be more true.

This is a time to improve the quality of life for our residents and leave a legacy for future generations. In 20 years, the wisdom of building Oahu’s rail system will be clear and obvious. Rail systems have been operating around the world for more than 100 years, and Oahu must join the rest of the world in developing a transportation system that will enhance our Island.

I respectfully ask for your support.

Will Espero State Senator Ewa Beach to Lower Waipahu

HOT DEAL: See Le Reve at Wynn Las Vegas!