We still experience high gas prices, unemployment is rising, there’s a growing credit crunch, increasing inflation, global warming and more. I am pleased to report that in these difficult times, there is some good news too: Northern New Mexico is in the process of shifting from a transportation system almost totally dependent upon private automobiles to one that is more multi-modal and balanced.
Española and Rio Arriba County voters will have an opportunity on Nov. 4 to enact a one-eighth cent increase in the gross receipts tax to support regional public transportation. The tax revenues would go to support the operations of the Regional Transit District (RTD) Blue Bus by improving service within Española and providing better service to Santa Fe, Los Alamos, and Taos and new service to Tierra Amarilla.
There are several well-document benefits to public transportation.
• It saves money. Gas prices recently reached record highs and are still hovering around $3.00 per gallon. The true cost of driving a car, according to the IRS, is 59 cents per mile. So if a person commutes 25 miles in each direction, it costs $29.25 per day to commute, equivalent to $146.25 per week and over $600 per month. By comparison, public transportation is very economical and its use increases one’s disposable income.
• Public transportation conserves energy. Private cars with a solo driver are not very energy efficient. Taking public transportation can help conserve our increasingly scarce petroleum reserves. All those vehicles on the road generate pollution, including greenhouse gases. Public transportation is a much greener alternative.
• It reduces congestion. Every bus replaces up to 40 vehicles, freeing up space on our highways.
• It increases safety. Traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of death in New Mexico, especially among our young people. Public transportation is a safe alternative to driving, especially during wintry weather.
• Public transportation increases our mobility. Our younger and older citizens, as well as many persons with disabilities or low incomes, are unable to drive a private vehicle. Public transportation is a way of leveling the playing field to provide access to education, jobs, shopping, health services, and recreation to all New Mexicans.
• It supports economic development. With the high cost of housing in communities like Santa Fe and Taos, much of our workforce must commute long distances to their place of employment. Public transportation provides employers with access to a larger workforce and helps grow our economy.
The actual annual costs to Rio Arriba County taxpayers would be only $750,000 per year, which is just 12.5 cents for every $100 spent on taxable items. And the tax increase will not affect the cost of groceries or medical services.
I hope you will give careful consideration to the proposed transit tax and how it might benefit you and increase the economic prosperity of the northern New Mexico region.
Alfred Herrera is an Espanola City Councilor and Chairman of the North Central Regional Transit District.