FasTracks Scam by Tom Graham

RTD has received the Record of Decision (ROD) approval for Arvada's Gold Line commuter rail, along with another billion to share between this corridor and the DIA line, when money becomes available. ROD is issued when the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) has been approved. The same process is followed for each of the several corridors comprising FasTracks. Federal regulations require that viable alternatives for transit modes be considered and comments regarding such be addressed preceding the ROD. This has not been done. Experienced planners and engineers have for years suggested that bus rapid transit (BRT), the proven mode for this region, is far more cost-effective and efficient. Such testimony at public hearings has received these limp responses: "Bus was not supported by the public during the major investment studies (MIS)." Note: The Gold Line to Golden was sold to the public at $281 million. Now it's $609 million for half the length ($590.5 million YOE), plus $43.3 million for maintenance facility share. Another $32 million for the Wadsworth Bridge was seldom mentioned. Source of the 2% local share, or how it miraculously became 2-1/2%, is not. Cost of railroad indemnification is secret. All corridors face massive budget shortfalls. Bus was strongly supported by everyone familiar with transit and only opposed by those unfamiliar with the project, or who were paid specifically to push rail, or who had personal agendas. Other anti-bus arguments: "There's no money for the I-70 bus lane." Billions wasted on rail could build all the lanes ever needed. "Bus requires more condemnations than rail." This argument furnishes the numbers for BRT, while neglecting the fact that rail would take more. FasTracks has negligible effect on traffic congestion, but we're told, "It's not about traffic; it's about choice." No choice was mentioned on the ballot. Sole justification for billions of debt is, "Buses have stigma, People like trains." Alternatives now given: 1) no project. 2) transportation system management (a few bus line changes). 3) rails. Titled "The $4.7 billion FasTracks Project, the figure was chosen as one that could be sold to the public. Now it's $7 billion, with proposals for a 133%-200% RTD sales tax increase. What do we get for $7 billion, (or $10 billion)? 00.43% traffic reduction, lasting a few months. Increase in ozone and greenhouse gases. Billions taken out of the economy. 158 grade crossings and 2,000 dead ends slowing emergency vehicle response. Slower travel than BRT. Facts not mentioned: Denver rail now runs at 10% of capacity. DRCOGs report predicts negligible congestion relief. The fed's GAO shows rail to have poor cost effectiveness compared to BRT. RTD's own studies show BRT as superior. The C-470 reserved bus lane study was promising. Rail has no route flexibility. Rail lead times are much slower than bus. Revenue forecasts were outrageous, Public-private partnerships (PPP) average 60% over budget, T-REX rail was 93% over budget, SW line passengers came mostly from the former bus service, with little increase in transit use, while running 28% over budget. The SE corridor was 59% over. Who benefits from this fiasco? Land speculators and the "Progressive" subsidized housing movement, transit oriented development (TOD), which is the stated mission of taxpayer-financed Transit Alliance, a political action group masquerading as non-profit. $4 million was spent on the feel-good FasTracksYes! campaign, paid for by 6-digit pay-to-play political contributors expecting no-bid contracts. An even more vigorous campaign has already begun in advance of another ballot calling for a 133% tax increase. What will that do to local retail business? Most contemptible is the distraction from realistic transit planning. You can't trust RTD! Tom Graham is a 31 year Arvada resident and has been involved in public transit planning for 45 years and was on transit study teams for Rochester, Buffalo, Toronto, Fairbanks and Iran (project manager for the latter two). He was an advisor on transportation organization related to rebuilding after the '04 Florida hurricane damage. He holds degrees in degrees in engineering and city planning.