Reauthorize transit district funding in November
Convenience and affordability are things that often are touted as benefits of public transit, but a notable fringe benefit that is sometimes overlooked is the extreme shield that public transit offers to our environment. In my case, I live approximately 60 miles from my workplace, traveling from Edgewood to Santa Fe. I use the North Central Regional Transit District’s Blue Bus to get to and from work. I also occasionally use the Rail Runner line. By using the Blue Bus, I have eliminated about 600 miles per week, or a whopping 31,200 miles per year, of vehicle toxins going out into the environment. And that is just one driver.
Our community in the greater Santa Fe region is extremely lucky to have the buses operating to save thousands of additional vehicles from being on the road each year. The wear and tear on the roadways would quickly add up, and we would be battling even more traffic on the way to and from work every day, if not for public transit.
This eventually would cause taxes to rise to offset the road maintenance that would ultimately develop if public transit were taken away. Our roads would literally begin to decay right before our eyes with all of the additional traffic appearing if the transit district was ever dissolved. That is certainly not a future that I want to build for the next generation.
Public transit is, of course, not the most convenient option for everyone, but in my case, it couldn’t make more sense. Financially speaking, I have been able to save a major portion of my income, because it is not going to offset the maintenance of my vehicle each year. I’m also saving money on gasoline. And I have been able to extend the life of my car, which increases my quality of life. Thanks to the Blue Bus, I am able to feel good about helping eliminate more cars from the roadways, and I am also benefiting from the cost savings that public transit provides.
Public transit is important to me, and it should be important to all of us who care about the future of our region. North Central Regional Transit District services cover more than 10,000 square miles in New Mexico. That is an incredible statistic that we all should be proud to support. I encourage everyone to join me in voting yes in November for reauthorizing funding for the transit district. The benefits to the environment and roadways, the significant cost savings to all taxpayers and the reduction of stress on drivers add up to making this the right decision.
Additionally, if you have not taken advantage of transportation options offered in your community, I strongly advise you to do so. Visit NCRTD.org and look up all of the lines of transportation the district offers. I am sure there is at least one option near you that will take you to a location of interest. It is my hope that you, too, will be able to improve your quality of life by utilizing the precious resource of public transit.