Crosstown Coalition

The Crosstown Coalition invites Philadelphians to discuss mayoral candidates' answers to questions posed by the Coalition. Questions were generated by citizen responses to a questionnaire sent in Feb, 2007. We encourage you to read candidate answers and comment on what you think. By: Bella Vista United Civic Assoc, Center City Residents' Assoc, Logan Square Neighborhood Assoc, Old City Civic Assoc, Queen Village Neighborhood Assoc, Society Hill Civic Assoc, Washington Square West Civic Assoc.

Showing posts with label 08. TRANSPORTATION. Show all posts

Showing posts with label 08. TRANSPORTATION. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

TRANSPORTATION CABINET MEMBER

66% of those who provided an opinion indicated that it would be a good investment to create a position reporting to the Mayor on transportation matters, even if such an appointment would entail added expense and bureaucracy.

If elected, will you appoint a cabinet-level Director of Transportation to develop and implement a unified transportation policy for Philadelphia so that the City has a point-person to work with the State, the Federal government, Septa and all other transportation “players”? If not, why not?

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FATTAH: Transportation Cabinet Member

I have called for re-establishing the city’s Office of Transportation and will appoint a leading transportation professional as Director to coordinate and implement city transportation policy.

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KNOX: Transportation Cabinet Member

I think the lack of agency coordination, transit oriented planning, and administration leadership on the issue of transit is disgraceful. As Mayor, I will reopen the Department of Transportation, staff it robustly, and act on its recommendations. Philadelphia deserves nothing less.

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NUTTER: Transportation Cabinet Member

I have already proposed that, as Mayor, I will re-establish the Department of Transportation and make the head a member of my Cabinet. The Department would conduct formal planning, coordinate decision making, and articulate a shared vision among all the entities that comprise the City’s transportation including Streets, Commerce, Public Property, Traffic Police, City Planning, the School District, Fairmount Park, the Airport, the waterfront and ports agencies, SEPTA, PATCO, PennDOT, Amtrak, and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.

The new Department would save money through coordination, increase the share of existing resources going to the City through better advocacy, and increase the total amount of resources going the Philadelphia metropolitan area by developing a shared vision for regional investment. Boston, New York, Washington DC, Chicago, and Los Angeles all have departments that are implementing focused and integrated agendas for their cities and regions.

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BRADY: Transportation Cabinet Member

As Mayor, I will support the creation of a cabinet level Deputy Mayor of Transportation. It is essential that Philadelphia have a coordinated, cohesive approach to all modes of transit.

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EVANS: Transportation Cabinet Member

I support the creation of such a position.

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MEASURES TO REDUCE TRAFFIC

Reducing traffic in Center City would improve the quality of life in the City by, for example, reducing air pollution and traffic congestion.

If elected, what will you do to make it easier NOT to drive in Center City?

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KNOX: Measures to Reduce Traffic

We must improve public transit in order to make it easier to leave the car in the garage when coming into Center City. One innovative idea is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).

In Boston, LA, Denver, and Kansas City, BRT lines are reinvigorating public transit. BRT lines mimic subway lines, but at a fraction of the construction cost. BRT lines could enable SEPTA to create the rapid transit lines that Philadelphia has long needed along Roosevelt Boulevard, Delaware Avenue, and other major arteries. If implemented properly, BRT lines will boost economic development in surrounding areas, improve quality of life for Philadelphians who did not previously have adequate access to public transit, and improve SEPTA’s overall ridership.

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NUTTER: Measures to Reduce Traffic

The key is a vastly improved SEPTA system and I have already proposed governance changes and announced support for Governor Rendell’s plan for dedicated and sufficient funding to maintain and expand the system.

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BRADY: Measures to Reduce Traffic

I will support hiring a Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator for the City of Philadelphia. Creation of such an office, however, would be contingent on an 80% contribution from federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ), plus the identification and allocation of additional resources sufficient to fund the position.

Furthermore, I will aggressively pursue federal funding on behalf of Philadelphia. Federal funds which are available, such as the CMAQ grant, should not go unused. By promoting and encouraging cycling and walking as modes of transit within the City, we can reduce pollution and congestion.

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EVANS: Measures to Reduce Traffic

I believe that an effective mass transit system is the key to reducing congestion in Center City. As such, I will work to improve our transit system and to provide dedicated funding to SEPTA so that we do not have to face the constant threats of service shutdowns or fare hikes in our City.

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FATTAH: Measures to Reduce Traffic

I have laid out a detailed plan to reduce traffic congestion and cut pollution, including promoting biking through new bike lanes and increased access for bikes on SEPTA, providing incentives for hybrid taxicabs, increasing hybrid buses and city vehicles, reducing the city fleet, promoting PhillyCarShare and studying congestion charging.

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POLITICKING FOR SEPTA FUNDS

Septa has no dedicated tax funding base so that it has faced continual budget crises awaiting government funding appropriations each year.

Would you be willing to spend a significant political capital to attract Septa funding from Harrisburg? If not, why not?

If you are willing to commit to this goal, what steps would you take and would those steps include visits to Harrisburg and the formation of a coalition cities with similar demographics across Pennsylvania to seek more financial support for public transportation from the Commonwealth?

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NUTTER: Politicking for Septa Funds

Yes.

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BRADY: Politicking for Septa Funds

As Mayor, I will work with the Commonwealth to advance Governor Rendell’s proposed tax on oil profits. The proceeds of this tax would establish a dedicated stream of funding for SEPTA.

Additional funding, however, would be remiss without reform at 1234 Market Street. While 80% of all SEPTA funding originates in Philadelphia, the City only has two representatives on the board. Philadelphia must have a larger voice at the table. Efforts of service improvements and expansion are incomplete without an effort to ensure that proposed plans are realistic, achievable, and that funding is available.

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EVANS: Politicking for Septa Funds

As House Appropriations Committee chair, I have had a few victories in increasing state funds for mass transit. I have increased funding for this year’s budget and have recently introduced legislation that would supply a $110 million dedicated, long-term source of funding for all of the state’s transportation systems. As Mayor, I will continue this fight for dedicated and equitable funding for our mass transit systems.

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FATTAH: Politicking for Septa Funds

I strongly support the Governor’s plan for dedicated funding for SEPTA. As Mayor, I will work with leaders of cities across our Commonwealth to get this plan passed through the Legislature. I will also go to Harrisburg and utilize the relationships I have developed through 25 years of public services, including 12 years as a legislator in Harrisburg.

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KNOX: Politicking for Septa Funds

As mayor, I will be fully committed to regionalizing the effort to lobby Harrisburg for a dedicated funding source for SEPTA. A high-quality public transit system will serve as an economic engine for the region. The region should fight for it as such.

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