Bad enough that the Santa Ana City Council did not put their silly Streetcar system out to bid – instead they handed it to Parsons Brinkerhoff and Cordoba Corp. (the latter is owned by George Pla – who also is the main funder of the Santa Ana Business Bank, which features Santa Ana Councilman Carlos Bustamante on its board, and includes amongst its investors Councilman Vince Sarmiento). Now information has come out indicating that the system that allegedly inspired Santa Ana City Manager Dave Ream to come up with this $748 million boondoggle, in Portland, ran into some serious funding issues when it tried to expand. It turns out the federal government prefers funding buses over streetcars…
Federal Transit Grants Favor Buses Over Portland Streetcar
3 January 2008 – 9:00am
Portland wants to expand its streetcar system, and is relying on federal funds to do it. But the Federal Transit Administration says it will give grants to only cost-effective proposals — creating a heavy bias toward buses and away from streetcars.
“The expansion, pegged to cost $147 million, would extend the streetcar from the Pearl District across the Broadway Bridge and south to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, nearly completing a streetcar loop of the city’s core. The federal government, according to the Portland City Council’s plan, would pay for half.”
“But the City Council scrambled in early September to meet a deadline to apply for funds, only to learn from the Federal Transit Administration that Portland is failing to meet a cost-effectiveness test that planners here say is biased against streetcars in favor of high-capacity bus lines.”
“Transit administration officials have said the Office of Management and Budget, a department in the White House, has ordered them to raise standards for cost effectiveness when judging transit projects. That contrasts with the bill Congress passed in 2005, saying projects should be funded if they support public transportation, are cost-effective and boost local economic development.”
Personally, I think Portland’s streetcars are great, it makes that city an easy place to visit. If I remember correctly the streetcars are free in the downtown area. Streetcars may not be as cost effective as busses but they make the city a lot more livable. With such a large pedestrian population as Santa Ana has, I think a system of streetcars would make life infinitely better. Riding the bus is very time consuming, I would think you would support a transportation system that would benefit Santa Ana’s working class. Fight for the right routes and decent oversight but don’t toss this idea aside over politics.
#1,
You raise a good point. Does the proposed streetcar system benefit Santa Ana’s working class? Or is it an excuse to use eminent domain to take away the working class homes along the proposed route? And replace said homes with yuppie enterprises?
How many studies has the city conducted to find out where the residents of our city go to work? Or to find out who would be using this proposed system? I would venture to guess none.
Remember that the working class works, for the most part, in non-union jobs. Many take buses because the government won’t let them get licenses. During the bus strike last year we found out that many of these folks were having to find rides as far north as Brea. The streetcars would have done them no good.
And doesn’t it bother you that George Pla, who is essentially a partner of Bustamante, was handed the deal without a formal bidding process? Can you say “conflict of interest?”
Folks.
Please don’t forget the Centerline proposal that was squashed. Santa Ana already have a bus system that is more flexible than a tram and would not impact private property along the proposed route.
We have taken a ride on the “MAX” Portland’s light rail system. Without conducting any research I am not sure how much of a government subsidy it consumes.
One line runs from the Portland International airport to their downtown shopping district. This poses the question as to whether or not this transortation system option in Portland competes with an existing bus route. Streetcar tram, whatever name you give it, still needs to offer an alternative not already in existence.
The Feds probably prefer buses over street cars for cost effective purposes. The cost to operate a bus versus a a streetcar per passenger is significantly lower.
Everything and anything worthwhile seeing or doing is on the outskirts of Santa Ana. With the exception of the government center, no one wants to be in Santa Ana.
People will not risk their lives to ride a highly tax subsidized streetcar while wearing a bullet proof vest.
Get over trying to sell your stinky city. THE ONLY SUCCESSFUL STREETCAR WILL BE THE ONE THAT TRAVELS FROM TIJUANA TO SANTA ANA.
Art, There is another case of Santa Ana running over the little guys working it’s way through the city which you have not written about. Templo Calvario(Churches pay no taxes) on Fairview street is in a Industrial zone (which are in short supply and give much needed tax dollars to the city) has expaned without city ok and now is trying to drive out the other owners in the business park with the muscle of the city behind them. I think it goes to the Planning commision or Council on Monday. I guess when you hold the Mayor’s Prayer breakfast at your church you can do whatever you want. Try doing an addition to your home or business any where else in S.A. and watch how fast the City Atty cracks down on you. I like Templo Calvario but they should move into on of the MANY empty old churches in S.A. and allow us to use M1 zoning to bring in tax dollars.
I don’t know if I am off point and did not really look into the details of the trolly system. But, because the topic of buses came up, I want to post a link to a discussion of Bogata Columbia’s bus system. It is rather interesting. Seeing Bogata is interesting as well.
I think the Oil Drum has had several discussions of the Bogata Bus system and there may in fact be a better discussion than the attached:
http://local.theoildrum.com/node/3580
Wow, a pro-oil presidential administration supports buses over light rail. I’m so shocked.