Editor,
The economic benefits clearly outweigh the short-term taxes we pay for mass transit. For example, Portland’s Trimet is a leading example in North America of how to do it right. I’m from Oregon and moved to Carmel 15 months ago. I’ve seen firsthand the growth and economic rewards the light rail, bus lines, streetcar and commuter rail create. Trains are packed going to Trailblazer games; trains are packed going downtown to the Rose Festival; you can park downtown and go to the airport in 20 minutes. The airport line has had eight million trips since 2007 – each year.
In Brian Kelly and Steve Greenberg’s piece, they seem to dismiss the economic benefits, saying “it could become an economic-development engine.” It IS an economic engine. Please look at the new light rail line going to Portland-Milwaukee. What we have here is clearly not enough. The Indy bus system only serves Indianapolis.
The bottom line is mass transit exists for a very long time – the taxes don’t. Trimet gets funding from several sources and builds it. Portland doesn’t pussyfoot around like Seattle. Go to Portland, and see for yourselves.
Regards,
Tim Cushing
46033