PROPOSITION 125 : Rail Pass

Increasingly crowded streets and freeways underscore the continuing need to build and improve alternate means of transportation. Local and intercity public mass- transit rail lines are among the attractive options. Building such lines, though, is only the beginning of the process.

To be efficient, rail lines must have the cars to carry a significant number of commuters. Proposition 125, without levying any new taxes or raising existing ones, would give local transportation agencies access to motor-vehicle gas-tax funds to buy rail cars and allied equipment. This measure would aid commuters directly by providing an alternative method of transport so that they could leave their cars at home and indirectly by providing the equipment to help reduce peak-hour traffic.

Right now the Constitution limits the uses of state fuel taxes to construction, maintenance and operation of highways, and to building local trolley and rail lines. Proposition 125 would expand these uses to permit the purchase of rail cars and engines to increase the carrying capacity of rail lines.

No new revenues are needed. Instead, a restriction in the Constitution would be amended to allow a portion of the motor-vehicle fuel taxes already being collected to be committed to this new use. That would not be automatic, however. A majority of voters in the county or geographic area where the revenues are to be spent would first have to approve the acquisition of rail cars and transit equipment.

Proposition 125 promises important transportation benefits. We urge a yes vote.