Transit Editorial by Mayor Richard J. Kaplan

Recently, I was driving to work and I realized something peculiar. My normal 23 minute, 6 mile commute to work, was now 15 minutes, and most trips throughout Broward are now quicker with fewer vehicles. Also, I am aware of drastic ridership increases in mass transit. BCT, Tri-Rail, and Community Shuttle Buses are setting new records. Calls to Call Centers helping people use mass transit, are up 40%.

With gas prices soaring people are giving up their love for the car. The fiscal cost is becoming too great a burden for the average family to afford. The result is, like in Europe, people are turning to mass transit. The problem is that we have an inadequate system, and due to budget constraints, facing further cuts.

For a long time groups have tried to plan new transit, without the power to build it. This is reserved to our Legislature and County Commissions, who have taxing authority. For years, those supporting expanded transit have sought a dedicated revenue source required for matching State and Federal funds. Each attempt failed due to a lack of agreement and political leadership from elected state and county leaders. They have failed to provide affordable transportation.

Strangely, while the need is to add service, the Legislature is moving in the opposite direction by raiding the State Transportation Capital Trust Fund to cover its own budget operational shortfalls. This short term answer purposely avoids having to address real funding problems. It simply delays and compounds it because the capital for transportation solutions will be gone, while the general budget shortfall will remain.

The potential cuts in mass transit, will not only hurt our residents, but have a significant negative impact on our economy because Transportation is an Economic Engine that drives our economy. It may not pay for itself at the fare box, but it does in the economic activity it creates. If you cannot afford to travel and make a decent wage, why would you live here?

I believe any solution will require a change in our government. We need the public to not ask, but demand our State and County Officials to take action. If they won’t, then we need someone else who will. That could mean that we consider creating a regionally elected body with taxing authority to oversee all transit and transportation. With a dedicated single minded group, we will see the change we require.

Note: Mayor Kaplan is writing this on his own behalf, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the groups he represents. He presently holds the positions as Mayor of the City of Lauderhill, Chair of SEFTC (Southeast Florida Transportation Council), Chair MPOAC (Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council for the State of Florida), and is a Member of and Past Chair of the Broward MPO.