The following is directed to residents of Wake County, NC
who will be voting on a referendum to spend $5 billion on
a county transit plan.
But, what Wake residents is voting on this year, hundreds
of communities will be voting on this Election Day, taking
on debt on projects deemed important to elected officials
as well as self-interests that benefit at the expense of tax
payers.
Perhaps what I observed here is Wake County is similar
to what others have seen in their communities.
If you'd like to share your experience let me know and I
will post on this blog.
Regards,
Anthony
Wake County Residents,
I emailed earlier to remind you there was a county 'transit plan'
referendum on this year's ballot. I suggested you review the pros
and cons to determine for yourselves whether to support it.
who will be voting on a referendum to spend $5 billion on
a county transit plan.
But, what Wake residents is voting on this year, hundreds
of communities will be voting on this Election Day, taking
on debt on projects deemed important to elected officials
as well as self-interests that benefit at the expense of tax
payers.
Perhaps what I observed here is Wake County is similar
to what others have seen in their communities.
If you'd like to share your experience let me know and I
will post on this blog.
Regards,
Anthony
Wake County Residents,
I emailed earlier to remind you there was a county 'transit plan'
referendum on this year's ballot. I suggested you review the pros
and cons to determine for yourselves whether to support it.
I only recently dug deeper into the plan, read both sides and also
the News and Observers reporting on this plan and troubled from
what I read and decided to not support the plan.
the News and Observers reporting on this plan and troubled from
what I read and decided to not support the plan.
As is the case with such spending referendums the more money
ought the greater the influence to get it passed, and more than one
billion dollars attracts many self interests.
I did not read of any public discussion before the 78 member advisory
committee was created. It appears town and county officials initiated
the transit plan in isolation and created the committee to drive it.
ought the greater the influence to get it passed, and more than one
billion dollars attracts many self interests.
I did not read of any public discussion before the 78 member advisory
committee was created. It appears town and county officials initiated
the transit plan in isolation and created the committee to drive it.
I was also troubled there was no mention of current problems with
transit, only projections for the future. Not one mention that average
ridership per trip is less than ten per bus, and often much lower.
So where is the current demand? If approved we will have larger sparsely
filled buses replacing smaller sparsely filled ones! It does not make sense.
transit, only projections for the future. Not one mention that average
ridership per trip is less than ten per bus, and often much lower.
So where is the current demand? If approved we will have larger sparsely
filled buses replacing smaller sparsely filled ones! It does not make sense.
Even the thought about frequency of bus stops, every 15 minutes; based
on what 'current data'?
on what 'current data'?
Nor does the public learn the amount being subsidized by taxes, fees,
debt equals 87% to hold fare to $1.50 per trip.
debt equals 87% to hold fare to $1.50 per trip.
Other financing elements include reliance on 25% funded by the federal
govt. Unfortunately, such funding depends on the whim of agencies, and
not secured.
Additionally, long and short term debt totally over $500 million has not
been secured, planners "hope" to find investors will step up.
govt. Unfortunately, such funding depends on the whim of agencies, and
not secured.
Additionally, long and short term debt totally over $500 million has not
been secured, planners "hope" to find investors will step up.
Lastly, the state has not said it would provide funding for the project.
Even reliance on a $10 per vehicle registration is suspect, it can easily
be increased if ridership does not materialize, and exactly what occurred
with the 540 toll, increasing as most commuters avoid using it!
Does Cary really have plan for 200,000 residents rather than provide
more amenities for the 150,000 currently living there?
be increased if ridership does not materialize, and exactly what occurred
with the 540 toll, increasing as most commuters avoid using it!
One final thought.
Under the radar has been an undercurrent against the unbridled growth
happening throughout the region. We don't hear about or read about it,
but it is there.
Under the radar has been an undercurrent against the unbridled growth
happening throughout the region. We don't hear about or read about it,
but it is there.
Does Cary really have plan for 200,000 residents rather than provide
more amenities for the 150,000 currently living there?
This incessant appetite for "more" that created the congestion now
drives a desire for 'transit plans' does not make sense! Just because
towns have undeveloped land does not mean development must be
approved.
Mores green ways and parks define communities as much as residential
developments and large commercial enterprises.
drives a desire for 'transit plans' does not make sense! Just because
towns have undeveloped land does not mean development must be
approved.
Mores green ways and parks define communities as much as residential
developments and large commercial enterprises.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this.
Anthony Bruno
Cary, NC
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