Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Guest Post - Make South Miami-Dade into an attractive, prosperous, first-class community. Choose elevated MetroRail, by Steve Zarzecki

The following is a guest Blog Post from Steve Zarzecki, who wears many hats in our community, including being President, Concerned Citizens of Cutler Bay and appointed Member to People's Advisory Group - Miami-Dade County Public Works & Transportation Department:
Photo: Steve Zarzeci


In a few weeks the TPO will make a decision that will affect us for decades to come here in South Dade. They will decide the mode of Mass Transit on the South Dade Transit Corridor (US-1). It should be clear to everyone that elevated MetroRail is the only viable solution for South Dade.

So, what will we gain from a decision to choose elevated MetroRail? And more importantly, what will we LOSE if they make the wrong choice?

From: American Public Transportation Association, Washington, DC, 2017

Public transportation in the United States is a crucial part of the solution to the nation’s economic, energy, and environmental challenges - helping to bring a better quality of life. In increasing numbers, people are using public transportation and local communities are expanding public transit services. Every segment of American society - individuals, families, communities, and businesses - benefits from public transportation.

Public Transportation Saves Money
•According to APTA’s Transit Saving Report, a two-person household can save, on the average, more than $9,823 a year by downsizing to (or only using) one car.
(To calculate your individual savings, with or without car ownership or use, go to http://www.publictransportation.org/tools/fuelsavings/Pages/default.aspx )
•Public transportation provides an affordable, and for many, necessary, alternative to driving.

Public Transportation Provides Economic Opportunities & Drives Community Growth and Revitalization
•Public transportation offers individuals access to jobs.
•87 percent of public transit trips impact the economy.
•Every $1 invested in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns.
•Every $1 billion invested in public transportation supports and creates more than 50,000 jobs.
•Every $10 million in capital investment in public transportation yields $32 million in increased business sales.
•Residential property values performed 42 percent better on average if they were located near public transportation with high-frequency service.

Public Transportation Enhances Personal Opportunities
•Public transportation provides personal mobility and freedom for people from every walk of life.
•Access to public transportation gives people transportation options to get to work, go to school, visit friends, or go to a doctor’s office.
•Public transportation provides access to job opportunities for millions of Americans.

Public Transportation Saves Fuel, Reduces Congestion
•Public transportation has a proven record of reducing congestion.
•The latest research shows that in 2011, U.S. public transportation use saved 865 million hours in travel time and 450 million gallons of fuel in 498 urban areas.
•Without public transportation, congestion costs in 2011 would have risen by nearly $21 billion from $121 billion to $142 billion in 498 urban areas.
•Public transportation use in the United States saves 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually.
•Households near public transit drive an average of 4,400 fewer miles than households with no access to public transit.

Public Transportation Reduces Carbon Footprint
•Public transportation use in the United States reduces our nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually. This is equivalent to Washington, DC; New York City; Atlanta; Denver; and Los Angeles combined stopping using electricity.
•One person with a 20-mile round trip commute who switches from driving to public transit can reduce his or her daily carbon emissions by 20 pounds, or more than 4,800 pounds in a year.
•A single commuter switching his or her commute to public transportation can reduce a household’s carbon emissions by 10 percent and up to 30 percent if he or she eliminates a second car.

These benefits will not come to South Miami-Dade if a sub-standard, inadequate mass transit system is chosen.

Make South Miami-Dade into an attractive, prosperous, first-class community. Choose elevated MetroRail.

Steve Zarzecki

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