Vote on Tuesday

Image via Wikipedia

First of all, I want to encourage everyone to get out and vote on Tuesday if you have not voted already. While I try to stay out of politics when it comes to this blog, it is clear that the last 8 years have not been very kind to transit.

Here in Utah there are no initiatives directly related to transit on the ballot. However, the state to watch on Tuesday will be California.

First you have the big one, the California High Speed Rail initiative. This would create the funds to build a high speed rail system from San Francisco to Los Angeles and eventually to San Diego plus a branch to Sacramento. While the residents of California have shown support for rail in the past with their pocket books, this one is very expensive and not coming in the best of economic times. However, it also comes at a time when people are more aware that ever that we need alternatives to both the automobile and airlines and it is currently got a slim lead in the polls.

In Los Angeles County they will be voting to build several new transit projects including the subway to the sea along the busy Wilshire corridor. It would also see the construction of several other important rail and transit projects plus fund road improvements.

While many may not care what happens in other states, if these are improved in these tough times it will hopefully show Washington DC what the people really want.