Stop The Bus
Senator Joe Markley (R-16) and Representative Whit Betts (R-78) have co-signed a letter written to House Speaker John Boehner. The legislators are urging the House Speaker to reject $460 million in federal funding for a Connecticut busway project linking New Britain to Hartford.
In their letter the lawmakers write:
“In our opinion, the decision to allocate federal funds to this busway project would be a huge waste of taxpayer’s money, To fast track such spending when we face enormous state and federal deficits seems ludicrous—it’s the kind of decision that makes folks cynical about politicians. There is no popular support for the project: the average person understands that it makes no sense, even in flush times. Given the hole we are in now, it should not be considered. We urge you to help us stop this project.”
The proposed busway is a rapid transit busway from New Britain to Hartford. The project spans 9.4 miles. The state Department of Transportation estimates that the cost will be more than $573 million. That works out to be more than $60 million per mile, or $952 per inch.
“This is a boondoggle and a waste of taxpayer dollars,” said Representative Betts. “In the end the annual cost to the state is expected to be $11 million, ticket sales estimates are $4 million leaving a $7 million hole. I am against spending state money for a transportation project that is expected to incur losses. ”
Connecticut has already spent $23 million for design, planning, and site acquisitions. In addition, Governor Malloy and the Bond Commission recently authorized the issuance of another $90 million in bonding to pay the state’s share of the total cost for the busway.
Governor Malloy claimed the decision will create “new jobs” and would “maximize the availability of federal funding now and going forward.”
“I am not concerned about leaving federal funds on the table. Federal or state, it’s all our money, and we shouldn’t waste it. Projects like this shouldn’t even be entertained until we get our fiscal house in order,” remarked Senator Markley. “I find it ironic that we are in the midst of a $6.2 billion deficit and the Governor is asking the legislature to spend more money we don’t have.”
In closing out their letter, both Senator Markley and Representative Betts wrote:
“We write to urge you to do all in your power to stop the federal funding, thus eliminating this irresistible temptation to our big-spending local politicians.”
Senator Joe Markley represents the towns of Southington, Cheshire, Waterbury and Wolcott. Representative Whit Betts represents the towns of Wolcott and Bristol.
The entire contents of the letter are….
Dear Speaker Boehner,
As Connecticut state legislators, we write to ask your help in stopping an absurd boondoggle which would waste the resources of this state and our country.
The project to which we refer is a rapid transit busway from New Britain to Hartford. The project only spans 9.4 miles, yet the state Department of Transportation estimates that the cost will be more than $573 million. That works out to over $60 million per mile, or $952 per inch.
Connecticut has already spent $23 million for design, planning, and site acquisitions. In addition, Governor Malloy and the Bond Commission recently authorized the issuance of another $90 million in bonding to pay the state’s share of the total cost for the busway. The rush to fund this unneeded and shortsighted transit project is driven by the “carrot” of $460 million in federal funds. We write to urge you to do all in your power to stop the federal funding, thus eliminating this irresistible temptation to our big-spending local politicians.
There are sufficient roads and highways between New Britain and Hartford, and commuter buses between the two cities that run nearly empty most of the day. Although no reasonable person sees the need for this project, it is shovel-ready and federal funds are available–hence it doesn’t have to make sense.
We are not concerned about leaving federal funds on the table: that money comes out of our pockets too, and we shouldn’t waste it. The private-sector jobs involved in constructing the busway will last just a couple of years, until the project is completed. The only permanent employees will be state employees, driving empty buses on the ghost highway, or waiting at ticket counters for customers who never come.
In addition to the exorbitant construction costs, there will be an ongoing state subsidy for each rider, each day and every year until we acknowledge our error. The state Department of Transportation estimates that it will cost Connecticut $11 million annually to keep the busway running, but they only expect to collect $4 million in ticket sales.
Even at that, we believe potential ridership is grossly overestimated. Mass transit can be a great service in the right circumstances, but intercity buses in central Connecticut won’t work now. The way our homes and businesses are spread out, only a small percentage live within walking distance of any projected bus station. We may not like it, but our world is built for cars.
The worst part of this misguided undertaking may be the destruction of the existing rail bed. As energy prices soar, what Connecticut will need are not more buses and roads but more tracks and trains. Freight trains will help lower transportation costs for our small businesses; over time, we anticipate increased passenger train ridership, as our society reorders itself on more traditional transportation lines.
There will be an additional benefit of leaving and upgrading existing railroad tracks for the many communities in the state that are now seeking to develop their downtown areas. Several downtown plans are focused on attracting more people by building affordable housing, and providing convenient access to trains will enhance these plans.
In our opinion, the decision to allocate federal funds to this busway project would be a huge waste of taxpayer’s money. To fast track such spending when we face enormous state and federal deficits seems ludicrous—it’s the kind of decision that makes folks cynical about politicians. There is no popular support for the project: the average person understands that it makes no sense, even in flush times. Given the hole we are in now, it should not be considered. We urge you to help us stop this project.
Sincerely,
State Senator Joe Markley
16th District
State Representative Whit Betts
78th District