INFORMATION #2 08-02-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The $25.00 CEI is a soft ceiling and accounts only for benefits to transit passengers. I'm not aware of any state documents that identify any congestion relief from the Northstar proposal, despite what is often stated publicly. In the area of transportation policy, there is now a newly proposed option of Fast Lanes where private sector entities will come forward, build a highway lane, earn a profit and eventually turn the new road back to the state. Yet in the area of railroads, the actual owners of existing railroad tracks will not spend one red cent to expand their services on their own existing infrastructure to include commuter passengers. Why? Because so few people can or will use it and it will not even come close to breaking even just in operations. I do not however believe Fast Lanes are a preferred option to meet commuter needs. The point of insight and contrast here is the fact that state highway user funds should be very sufficient to provide needed roadways for commuter demands. There is no real excuse for the state's continued failure to meet our transportation needs. Additional evidence to this point is on the enclosed transportation funding graphs on page three. There you can see that our state highway system is being used as a cash cow for the state's general fund. Minnesota highway users are producing far more revenues than the state is spending to build and maintain our highway system. Good economic policies have been and always must be about sustainability. American economics have been and always must be about everyone, as much as possible paying their own way - sustainability. That is why we should not turn our backs on what should be considered the most successful transportation system in the history of the world - our roads paid for by users. These and the enclosed points of concern reflect many of the reasons why I authored legislation to keep the Northstar Commuter Coach bus service going in 2003 and again in 2004. I believe the bus service with an annual subsidy of approximately $2,000.00 per daily passenger per year is much more cost effective than the train subsidy at $7,670.00 for the same. It also reflects why I authored legislation to establish an HOV/Dedicated Bus way from Elk River to Minneapolis. With better planning, there are sustainable options available. In time, a rail initiative may become viable. Thank you for contributing to this public dialogue. Your thoughts and concerns have helped me wrestle with this issue and research it extensively. I hope you find this information helpful. Please contact me again with any additional concerns. Sinc~erely/~ M{lrk Olson State Representative District 16B "t