6 Reasons to Support Zero Emissions Light Rail
1. Adding Rail is About Social Justice and Equity.
Most people driving highway 1 are essential workers. As the service industry ramps up, traffic is only going to get worse. This is the only project in the county that will create an alternative and faster way to travel North/South in the County. This project is desperately needed to give essential workers more time with their families.
2. Adding Rail is a Sustainable Climate Action.
Half our county's GHG emissions are transportation related. Adding zero emission light rail is the most powerful thing we can do to reduce them. The most recent study by the RTC indicated that adding rail will reduce GHG emissions by 1482 metric tons annually, the equivalent amount of carbon that 61,750 old growth trees can remove from the atmosphere every year. That’s a huge reduction in GHG emissions that we can achieve with just this one project! There are no other transportation projects in Santa Cruz County that come close to this number.
3. There is Funding Available.
Caltrans is showing their strong support with a 17 million dollar grant for the Initial Design and Environmental Impact Report. Overall, 57% of funding needed for this project has been identified. This is fabulous for a project at this stage. Current funding projections do not include additional opportunities from the federal infrastructure bill, so even more money is likely to be available soon.
4. We'll Create Safer Walkable Neighborhoods.
Our multimodal corridor plan that includes passenger rail transit is projected to reduce vehicle, bike and pedestrian accidents by 346 collisions every year. That's almost one less collision every day! Plus, local businesses will enjoy more foot-traffic, increased visibility and traffic free transportation options during festivals and events.
5. Rail Enhances our Metro Service.
Adding rail will increase transit usage by 250%. That means more people paying for transit passes and utilizing the system. Metro will also have access to additional state and federal rail funds for bus routes that would serve the rail line.
6. This is a Regional Project.
Our rail line will connect to the Monterey rail line and the State rail line at the Pajaro Junction in Watsonville. We will be able to take advantage of expanded access to Monterey, Gilroy, San Jose, LA and beyond!
In conclusion, there is no benefit to pausing this project. In fact, pausing this project threatens our ability to bring home federal dollars, address climate change and take real action towards equity in our community.
Let's make sure we make a strong showing! Share the petition far and wide!
Thanks for standing up for sustainable investments in our community!
Faina Segal,
Board Chair, Friends of the Rail & Trail