Opinion

Coming in 2019, a much-needed vote on transit

A view of traffic congestion at the Interstate 10 East and Interstate 35 interchange, June 9, 2016. To reduse highway congestion in the city, a revenue source must be sought and maintained. A view of traffic congestion at the Interstate 10 East and Interstate 35 interchange, June 9, 2016. To reduse highway congestion in the city, a revenue source must be sought and maintained. Photo: Edward A. Ornelas /San Antonio Express-News Photo: Edward A. Ornelas /San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 36 Caption Close Coming in 2019, a much-needed vote on transit 1 / 36 Back to Gallery

The public will vote on a transit plan in November 2019.

That’s the closing line in a recent letter from San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff to ConnectSA’s tri-chairs.

ConnectSA is the nonprofit tasked with turning a vision for better transit in San Antonio into a reality. In that letter to ConnectSA’s tri-chairs, Wolff and Nirenberg have said they expect a preliminary report from the nonprofit no later than Dec. 21.

That preliminary report should address route recommendations for major corridors, “trackless transit” options, funding sources and adaptive technology.

RELATED: Report: These 20 roads were the most congested in San Antonio in 2017

This transit plan will not include light rail, but it must include designated lanes to take riders out of traffic.

That could happen through traditional bus rapid transit or even with so-called self-driving “trackless trains” being developed in China (picture something that looks just like light rail, but without a track).

The letter also stresses other forms of alternative transit — electric scooters, ride-hailing and bicycles — and highlights the need to have all transit options integrated “into one payment system where a user can use one card or app across modes.”

Here’s how we interpret this working:

Passengers could take a trackless train from, say, the airport to downtown — arriving quickly thanks to a designated lane free of traffic.

Once downtown, they could use scooters and bikes to arrive at their destinations. Perhaps their trackless train fare would include the scooter rental, or at least allow for a discount.

As for funding, everything is on the table (as it should be).

Earlier this year, Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff quashed any lingering rumors and speculation about an emerging multi-modal transit plan: It will not include any form of rail, they said. Read about their visions on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com.

The letter outlines obvious potential sources: shifting Advanced Transportation District sales tax dollars, or applying hotel occupancy tax and other visitor fees, if possible.

There is also the controversial question of shifting sales tax dollars used for Edwards Aquifer Protection and the linear creek program to transit.

The letter also raises the prospect of a public-private partnership.

Transit is not the sexiest topic, we know. But it is one of the most critical issues facing San Antonio and Bexar County. The region is growing so fast that simply building more roads is not the answer. The experts have said this. Anyone stuck on Loop 410 at rush hour knows this.

We need to get people out of their vehicles, which, generally, are only carrying one person at a time.

Mobility is a keystone to economic development (remember those transit requirements for Amazon’s next headquarters?) and reducing economic segregation.

It’s been underfunded in San Antonio for far too long.

Technically, Wolff and Nirenberg do not need to bring this to a public vote. The charter change voters approved in 2015 was tied to streetcar and light rail. This is a trackless transit plan.

But a vote honors the spirit of that previous charter change election, and it reflects the importance of transit to this community. This is so important, it deserves a robust community dialogue. And to have that dialogue, the public will need specifics on the funding source or sources. Innovation shouldn’t be a deal killer if properly thought out.

We look forward to seeing ConnectSA’s recommendations, and we welcome a public vote.