Public transit isn't just for the poor—it's for everyone: Why I oppose Project Connect.

Austin, We Have a Transportation Problem

It's no secret that Austin is booming. As the 11th-largest city in the US, we need effective and accessible public transportation. In 1985, recognizing this need, Austinites showed their support by voting to create the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Cap Metro) [1], with an additional 1% sales tax [2] to fund its operation and growth.

Cap Metro was launched with a promise to our citizens, but has it delivered? The authority has seen a huge increase in funding over the years, with sales tax revenue projected to reach almost $400 million in 2024 [3], a tenfold increase since 1986 [4]. Yet, this influx of cash hasn't resulted in a better service. In fact, ridership has stagnated [5], and we are now faced with the reality that our public transit system is failing.

The issue isn't unique to Austin. Across the US, transit systems rely on government funding to survive [6]. But we can't keep throwing money at a problem and hoping for the best. It's time for a progressive, pragmatic approach.

"We are for public transit, but we are also for smart investments and a proper cost-benefit analysis."

First, let's be clear: we need public transportation. It's a vital service that many rely on. But we should be outraged that, despite population growth, ridership has barely increased since 1990 [7], and has slumped post-pandemic [8]. All this while Cap Metro has spent billions in tax revenue [9]!

The key metric here is cost per rider [10]. With limited funds, we must maximize the impact of every dollar spent. Project Connect [11], the latest light rail plan, is a perfect example of what not to do. The initial proposal, already with a low daily rider estimate, has been revised with an even lower projection of less than 30,000 average daily rides [12], and a skyrocketing price tag of $7.1 billion [13]– an absurd increase in cost per rider of over 500% [14].

We can do better.

San Antonio's recent VIA bus rapid transit (BRT) expansion [15] cost a fraction of Project Connect and is expected to serve a similar number of riders [16]. Buses are the backbone of transit systems nationwide [17], offering a flexible and cost-effective solution. Investing in BRT makes sense, especially in a rapidly growing city like Austin.

By choosing a bus-based system, we could save a staggering $6.5 billion [18]! Imagine the impact: improved mental health facilities, stronger emergency services, resilient energy and water lines, and enhanced parks and recreational spaces. We could transform Austin and still give taxpayers a break.

Project Connect is a mistake. It is an inefficient use of public funds that will only serve a few, while the rest of us foot the bill through a forever 20.789% property tax increase. [19] We must demand better from our city and explore more effective, equitable solutions.

Sources:

1. https://www.capmetro.org/about
2. https://www.capmetro.org/about/who-we-are-what-we-do
3. https://www.capmetro.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/Meeting%20Packet%2008-07-2023.pdf
4. $40 million in 1986, $400 million projected for 2024 - inflation-adjusted calculation.
5. https://www.capmetro.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/CAP%20METRO%20QUARTERLY%20REPORT%2005_28_2020_FINAL_0.pdf
6. New York's MTA government funding: https://www.mta.info/abou平方千米t/facts-and-figures/revenue
7. 1990: 31.2 million total boardings, 2019: 30.5 million total boardings - Minor change over 30 years
8. Post-pandemic slump: Cap Metro Q2 report, May 2020, page 7
9. $4 billion in sales tax revenues spent
10. Cost per rider is the key metric for public transit projects
11. https://projectconnect.com/
12. 30,000 average daily rides for Project Connect's latest plan
13. $7.1 billion price tag for Project Connect
14. Over 500% increase in cost per rider (original plan: 81,700 daily riders at $5.8 billion)
15. San Antonio VIA BRT: https://www.viainfo.net/about-via/via-projects/brt/
16. VIA BRT: $320 million cost, 13,500 average daily riders projected
17. Buses are the most used part of transit systems nationally
18. $7.1 billion - $600 million = $6.5 billion savings
19. 20.789% property tax increase to fund Project Connect