Continue funding transit district
When there is a critical need for a service, local governments must provide steadfast support to ensure that need is met. In North Central New Mexico, such a need is public transportation, and it is our job to continue supporting it as citizens of this region.
Public transit is absolutely critical to our region for a number of differing reasons. It is not only a stress-free way to get to work, it also saves people money, fuel, and reduces wear and tear on the roads. For those who cannot drive or don’t own a car, it might be the only way to get into town for important appointments or shopping. Luckily, the North Central Regional Transit District provides service on 25 fixed and flex routes and two on-demand routes. Each year, the service keeps expanding into new regions to serve more and more individuals.
When I served as Santa Fe County commissioner from 2009-16, I observed the demand for public transportation. Many small communities in northern Santa Fe County and Rio Arriba County are dependent on these buses. Many people commute to work via bus service. Also, for many, it is the only way to go into town for medical appointments or for grocery shopping. The ridership numbers clearly demonstrate the depth of the demand for these services. In fiscal year 2017, the North Central Regional Transit District celebrated record ridership and marked the largest number of passengers served within a given year since its inception. People need these services and use them.
As a Santa Fe County commissioner, I also served as a member of the North Central Regional Transit District board for several years. The board did a very good job allocating resources to those communities that used the buses the most. The board also gave a great deal of thought to routes and timing. No detail was overlooked. Additionally, this organization is very transparent and even has an interactive tool on its website in which users can explore financial data in various easy-to-use graphical formats. This helps keep the organization accountable to taxpayers and ensures money is being well spent.
It is more than obvious that the service the North Central Regional Transit District provides fulfills a critical need for individuals in New Mexico. I can attest that the leadership at the transit district is fiscally responsible, transparent and serves with the overall vision of bettering our region. However, it needs taxpayers’ backing to do so. I encourage everyone to continue to support it by voting yes for the reauthorization of funding for the North Central Regional Transit District.