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Gathering Place
Donn Takaki |
Let’s proceed with BRT
while exploring optionsSince as far back as I can remember (I was born and raised in Honolulu), we have struggled with traffic jams on Oahu. Over the years we have added hundreds of miles of roads and highways and implemented an award-winning bus system. But our growing economy and population have made it seem like traffic has only gotten worse.
In a way, we are the victims of our own success. A recent study by the Texas Transportation Institute showed that Honolulu commuters are delayed 7,329 hours annually at a cost of $151 million. That's $216 out of your pocket every year. While Honolulu doesn't have the worst congestion in the United States, we all agree that we have a traffic problem that is affecting us all. What is the solution?
There are no magic bullets. What we cannot do is to continue our pattern of paralysis by analysis. Hawaii rejected mass transit systems proposed in 1967, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1982 and 1992. All would have included significant federal funding. Loss of federal money most notably occurred in 1993, when $618 million in federal funds authorized by Congress for the fixed guideway rapid transit project was rejected by the City Council, which cancelled the project in a last-minute reversal. When I attend transportation meetings, transit representatives from other states thank me because every time Hawaii rejects federal money, it goes into the pockets of other states. If we reject federal funds for projects in the bag now, it will be years before we can credibly ask for federal monies again.
Honolulu needs to move forward with a multi-modal transit plan. Governor Lingle's task force is proposing a fixed-rail system combined with the Nimitz flyover. Mayor Harris' administration is moving forward with the Bus Rapid Transit system. A ferry system soon will be in operation, and more bike paths probably will be built. More roads are being added to our island. There also is talk of tollbooths and congestion pricing.
All of these systems and policies can work in conjunction with and complement one another.
On the table now is the first phase of Bus Rapid Transit. BRT is a major improvement to the city's bus system that is flexible, fully funded, inexpensive in comparison to other transportation systems and ready for construction. Future segments of the BRT system can serve as a building block for rail or another type of transit, once studies are completed and funding is secured. But we need to create a transit infrastructure now, and we have the money now to do it.
As a citizen of Honolulu, I demand to see us make improvements to our quality of life. Our traffic situation and transportation options directly affect that. Looking at where we stand now and at the realistic options on the table, proceeding with BRT's initial segment while continuing to pursue other options is the best way to go.
Donn Takaki is chairman of the city Transportation Commission.