Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Legislative Republicans rail against transit.

Strib reports, here.

To indulge in such rhetoric and then to lavish money on aspects of the built and operating Northstar would be duplicitous. But that is part of what being a Republican is all about.

GOP moves to cut light-rail money
The plan would change the focus of transit from light rail and bus rapid transit to regular bus operations.

By PAT DOYLE, Star Tribune Update: March 22, 2011 - 6:18 AM

The bill would prohibit spending $69 million in a special transit fund on light rail, commuter rail and bus rapid transit, which uses dedicated lanes. The money comes from a quarter-cent sales tax imposed on five metro counties for rail and bus rapid transit.

The initiative, which passed the House Transportation Policy and Finance Committee on a mostly partisan vote and was sent to the Ways and Means Committee, underscores the division between some GOP legislators, long critical of rail transit, and DFLers who support such services in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Instead of the $69 million being used over the next two years on rail or bus rapid transit, it would replace $51 million cut from general fund money for regular bus operations.

[...] "We know this will require fare increases and service reductions," said Wes Kooistra, chief financial officer at the Met Council.

Presumably a more realistic fare would be set for Northstar. Right now it's eating taxpayer cash on a daily basis because ridership cash is subsidized. If the Republicans actually do push Met Council to normalize Northstar fares, they can't be all bad.