Opinion

Let voters make streetcar decision

To get a streetcar system such as this, San Antonians would have to kick in some funds, whether in higher taxes or increased VIA fees. To get a streetcar system such as this, San Antonians would have to kick in some funds, whether in higher taxes or increased VIA fees. Photo: File Photo, Associated Press Photo: File Photo, Associated Press Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Let voters make streetcar decision 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Regarding County Judge Nelson Wolff's assertion that the modern streetcar does not need to go to the electorate for a vote, I disagree. With all the changes in financing the system, the uncertainty of the routes, the “swapped” advanced transportation district (ATD) tax dollars and the increased operating costs per boarded passenger to VIA, the voters deserve to know all the facts and have the opportunity to vote on the project.

In 2000, the voters resoundingly defeated the VIA light rail proposal by more than 2 to 1. When the voters approved the ATD tax increase in 2004, the approval came with the stipulation that none of the taxes collected would be applied to light rail. Wolff found a tentative end-run to launder the ATD tax revenue with the Texas Department of Transportation in case the modern streetcar is judged to be light rail.

Last month, VIA's consultants (HDR) provided the VIA board and the public with an update of the current modern streetcar proposed. This presentation included project development, alternatives analysis and federal funding. The HDR presentation also discussed VIA's 2035 plan, which includes bus facilities, this modern streetcar as the downtown circulator and light rail. Coincidentally, the routes proposed in the 2035 plan are similar to the light rail routes voters declined to support in 2000.

The cost of VIA's 2035 plan, after the $187 million modern streetcar phase, is estimated between $3.3 billion and $4.2 billion over 18 years, or more than $208 million per year. This is more than the current streetcar proposal in total. Wolff anticipates state and federal funding; however, there are more than $37 billion in federal projects already in the pipeline for funding and only $1.9 billion available. With sequestration upon us, federal funding in the foreseeable future gets less likely by the minute.

Failing to get federal funding, VIA would need to raise its sales tax rate in San Antonio by 1 percent to raise $208 million per year, thus making San Antonio's aggregate sales tax 9.25 percent, or the highest in the nation. Even if federal funding were available, San Antonians will still pay taxes to support all of VIA's 2035 expenditures — just to a different tax collector.

Modern streetcar operations will increase VIA's operating cost (now less than $3) to more than $4 per boarded passenger. To stay in compliance with Section 459 of the Texas Transportation Code, VIA will need to increase bus fares or decrease bus service, including routes and frequency or both. VIA's former CEO showed a graph of boarded passenger costs for eight cities including San Antonio, Austin and Portland, Ore. San Antonio was the lowest cost per boarded passenger and the only city without any type of rail.

The fact that demographics of the San Antonio metropolitan/VIA service area have changed over the past decade is all the more reason to allow taxpayers to vote on this multibillion dollar project. Baselice & Associates of Austin did a voter survey in April 2012 that indicated 66 percent of respondents approved of using the quarter-percent ATD tax money for public transportation projects. If Wolff were not afraid of letting taxpayers decide how to spend their taxes, this issue would be on the November 2014 ballot. The Baselice survey indicates voters would approve, thus eliminating the negative feedback and quelling dissent. It would also be wise to allow HDR to complete its feasibility study prior to further expenditures on the modern streetcar by VIA, lest this project become another Alamodome.

John Yoggerst is a member of the Texas Credit Union Commission and a real estate developer.