Commuter Rail a Tie Closer to Reality

After years of planning, intense negotiations to purchase the railroad right of way, and unprecedented public participation in the planning process, San Diego County’s commuter rail system is scheduled to become a reality in less than two years.

The spirit of cooperation to this point has been impressive. It included numerous meetings with local city staffs, advisory boards and steering committees, as well as many public hearings at which all points of view were heard and considered. The results included not only site agreements with the city governments of Carlsbad, Encinitas and Solana Beach, but also design and construction contracts that ensured a tremendous role in the decision-making process. The cities helped craft the plans and endorsed them with council votes.

While local concern reasonably can be expected in almost any public project, there are compelling reasons why communities should continue their support:

* It is very clear that North County residents support commuter rail in their community. A survey of individuals living near the proposed commuter rail stations showed 82% favored the service. Residents also voted with their pocketbooks when they approved in 1987 a 0.5% sales tax increase to pay for this system. Thus, while some vocal, albeit sincere, individuals have received much media coverage, a vast silent majority has made its support known on several occasions.

* Solid evidence points to the economic and community benefits as a result of the stations. Those benefits are evident in other communities with transit projects similar to Carlsbad, Encinitas and Solana Beach and will exist in addition to the obvious environmental and traffic improvements. They include increased business for local merchants and even, in some areas, increased property values.

There are tremendous environmental benefits in store for these communities. In 1990, the Interstate 5 corridor experienced 220,000 trips per day, a number that will more than double by the year 2010. A 10-car train leaving every hour could replace almost an entire freeway lane, which is designed to carry 2,000 cars per hour.

Pollution reduction will be an immediate benefit. Even at less than full capacity, the commuter rail line provides significant improvements. In 1995, the line will reduce emissions by 272.1 tons per year. In the year 2000, that number grows to 472.9 tons, and in 2010 to 930.9 tons.

These benefits won’t accrue to some nameless population elsewhere. They will be very real and very present within the city limits of Carlsbad, Encinitas and Solana Beach, improving the quality of life for their residents.

The North County Transit District continues to be sensitive to local concerns. For instance, in Encinitas, some have voiced concern that a bus transfer center will cause a greater transient problem than currently exists. They also cite sanitation problems with the current temporary transfer point in Cardiff and the potential for visual blight.

In response to the concern about the small size of the bus center parcel and the increased bus traffic that will occur, we have offered the following solutions:

* Bus routes utilizing this facility will be reduced from six to four. This reduction means paring down the number to 151 trips per day from the 209 originally proposed--even less than the 164 trips that currently go within a block of the proposed facility each day.

* Screening methods for reducing the visual impacts of the center from nearby residences will be used, improving the aesthetics.

* The bus bays have been redesigned, reduced from eight to four, with a turnout on Vulcan that could accommodate a maximum of two buses.

The perceived transient problem offers a perfect example of an issue where positive rather than negative impact is expected. For instance, the existing Cardiff bus transfer station is nothing more than the back of Cardiff Towne Center. It was never designed as a transit facility, does not have adequate restrooms, lacks design aspects that would facilitate surveillance and can, at best, serve the needs of riders temporarily.

Creation of a bus transfer station in conjunction with the downtown Encinitas commuter rail station will increase cleanliness, ensure safety and discourage unwanted transit use. The NCTD will have management authority to maintain restrooms and the general appearance of the new station. It does not have that authority in Cardiff and, in fact, exceeds the scope of its contract in the steps it takes now.

The NCTD will take security precautions, such as the placement and monitoring of video cameras, that are not currently possible. The open design of the facility will eliminate the kind of privacy favored by those who are seeking places where they can’t be observed. Historically, public observation is a primary deterrent to undesirable behavior.

Because of the compelling public benefit, the NCTD is moving ahead with the facilities planned in cooperation with the cities. We hope the cities and their citizens will continue the design review process with us. With their help, the facilities will complement the character of the communities in which they are built. Public input on this aspect will continue to be welcomed.

Criticism even from a relatively small number of individuals is unpleasant. But the NCTD must keep its resolve to create a commuter rail system that is in the best interest of all involved.

The public has voiced its support for rapid transit many times in the past. That is what you want. That is what we hope to provide.