Progress, progress, progress

If, and only if, things move forward as expected, Calexico’s downtown area will see a significant upgrade in the coming years.

In order to achieve such a goal, authorities must act as rapidly as possible with all the ongoing projects.

However, I truly fear those plans will not necessarily get expedited as wanted. Government typically proceeds at a slower pace than the rest of us.

First, our border city has decided to close Rockwood Avenue, between First and Second streets, and transform that part of downtown into an outdoor plaza. This, authorities say, will bring additional economic development opportunities by allowing merchants to install vending kiosks.

Prior to the street closure, the city decided to install gates in the alley located between First and Second streets and Rockwood and Heffernan avenues. The idea for the space is to turn it over to gardeners to improve its appearance. More significantly, it will prevent the area from being used an outdoor restroom by the local homeless population. The city said in a document the partial closing of the alley (which might remind to some the border fence installed by the U.S. government) allows to improve public safety in the area.

The city also plans to move all taxi cab operations from Rockwood Avenue to First Street. For this writer, it seems the sole goal of this measure is to attack illegal taxi drivers commonly known as raiteros. These individuals, although out of the law, bring a valued service no other company has to offer. As written in past columns, raiteros can take users within half an hour from downtown Calexico to El Centro for just $5. Regular taxi cabs can easily charge several times that amount. Buses, meanwhile, may be less expensive in terms of fares, but the time investment is significantly higher.

The problem under the city’s perspective is raiteros pay no local taxes and spend no money on taxi permits and licenses. However, licensing is not always even-handed. Only a few years ago a former city official, who also is an entrepreneur, attempted to open a taxi company here with environmentally friendly cabs, but politics played against the proposal.

If city officials really want to solve this matter, the taxi cab market must open and forbid monopolies. Many reasons will be presented to the public to avoid allowing other companies and individuals from entering this huge market, but the truth is the state of things is simply un-American.

To make matters even worse, city authorities plan to fine both drivers and passengers hundreds of dollars for violating local ordinances. Many (especially those who rely in public transit for their daily activities) think authorities first should address improving transit systems before disciplining low- and middle-income people in need of efficient and affordable transportation.

Taxi companies and individual providers must be allowed to get permits and licenses, and let the market keep the ones who give reliable and affordable services.

At the same time, IV Transit should return the express line from Calexico to El Centro and stop cruising all over the border town before continuing to the north. And please, open the Calexico transit line as soon as possible.