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Follow TURFATD Board votes to put HOV-toll lanes on 281
Sales tax money to be used to build 'mass transit priority lanes,' supporters point to 'the greater good.'
By Jim Forsyth, WOAI
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Your tax money would be used to build new lanes on US 281 that you would not be able to drive in, according to the latest transportation plan from the Advanced Transportation District, 1200 WOAI news reports.
The ADT voted to use $100,000,000 from the sales tax increase approved by Bexar County voters in 2004 to build so called ‘mass transit priority lanes’ in the center of Highway 281. These lanes could not be used by the taxpayers who paid for them, and would be reserved for ‘transit buses, emergency vehicles, and carpools.’
Supporters say it is for the greater good.
“Via and ATD can move forward with major projects to improve traffic flows and decrease congestion on some of our more heavily used highways, while improving the ride for the greater community,” said Keith Parker, the CEO of Via Metro Transit.
Via says allowing busses and carpools to solely use new lanes is ‘an effective strategy to enhance transit and ridesharing.’
But a 2004 study by the University of California Berkeley concluded that when carpool lanes were constructed in the San Francisco Bay area, highway congestion actually increased on the other lanes, and ‘is getting worse every year.’
“The HOV system does not meet its goals,” engineering professor Pravin Variya concluded.
The study concluded that HOV lanes ‘do not motivate commuters to carpool.’
This is the latest, and most expensive, attempt yet to social engineer transportation planning in Bexar County to try to convince motorists to carpool. An estimated 95% of commuters in the county drive alone in their personal vehicles to work.
“We are proud to work collectively with our local partners to provide more mobility choices for all citizens of the San Antonio and Bexar County region,” Via Chairman Henry Munoz said.
Read more: http://radio.woai.com/cc-common/mainheadlines3.html?feed=119078&article=10222748#ixzz21HulVh5k