House Bill 393 would add 1 cent to the sales tax to be used as a dedicated source of funding for transit (operating and capital) for both MTA and WMATA. This money should generate at least $400 million per year (I'll know better by Monday) with at least $300 milliion to MTA. This would be adequete to fully fund our current system and build a true HRT Metro system for Baltimore. Would you support this tax increase?

Yes.
No.
Uncertain.

Yup, I'm a conservative in general, but I still fully support this, and many other people of the like in the region do too. Most who don't, are simply too warped to understand the issues.

I was trying to make this a real poll, but I fouled it up.

I'd like to keep that format with everyone having a yes, no, maybeso inside their posts.

Thanks!
Nate

Definately yes.

Big fat YES!

I definitely would, and I also think Maryland can handle it. MD's sales tax has been steady at 5% for a long time, so an increase would certainly receive some backlash, but 6% is still low compared to many other states, I believe (although the fact that we are adjacent to no-sales-tax Delaware skews that image a bit). And if it is made known that the tax is specifically for transit, I think people will be more open to it. There has been research done (although I can't think of the name of the study at this point) to show that people overwhelmingly support being taxed higher so long as they can visibly see the benefits of the tax. If transit lines start going up (or under hopefully), then people will be able to see their money put to good use and not another example of bad government taxing/spending. So yes, I would support it. And I think now is the time to do it, with gas prices still high (although not as high as they once were).

There has been research done (although I can't think of the name of the study at this point) to show that people overwhelmingly support being taxed higher so long as they can visibly see the benefits of the tax. If transit lines start going up (or under hopefully), then people will be able to see their money put to good use and not another example of bad government taxing/spending.

Of course. This is why people don't like taxes in the first place. More often than not, tax money isn't spent wisely, even if it doesn't benefit you all the time, if it were benefiting someone, people would be open to the sacrifice, but most of the time it's wasted. Even 6% is a very reasonable sales tax IMO. If it's dedicated to transit, a major issue for people in the region, people would support it. The only thing is that w/ VA, it's gone up in the past several yrs already, as long as you show that it's not becoming a trend, people will still support it.

Actually, to be more accurate, the sales tax would increase to 6 cents per dollar, but HALF of the 1 cent increase would go to transit. Therefore 8.33% of the total sales tax revenue would be transit bound.

This should generate about $398 in FY2008. Previous funding breakdowns indicate at much heavier split toward MTA, so I think the $300 figure would be likely, but that would be up to the governor/MDOT Secretary, IIUC.

What about making I-95 and I-270 toll roads to encourage people to use mass transit while raising money.

There is also the possibility of a

28.5 cent increase to the gasoline tax indexed to inflation, which would generate $168 million next year and $235 million averaged over a 20 year period. I don't believe a bill has been submitted for that this year as of yet.

Again, estimates from the Report I mentioned in the Parking Lot thread.

Nate

What about making I-95 and I-270 toll roads to encourage people to use mass transit while raising money.

Well, I-95 already sorta is. And then we'd have to restructure MDOT which puts the tolls under the Maryland Transportation Authority, which all goes toward roads.

Nate

Well, I-95 already sorta is. And then we'd have to restructure MDOT which puts the tolls under the Maryland Transportation Authority, which all goes toward roads.

Nate

What about I-95 between Baltimore and Washington? That gets many more travelers than the portion of I-95 in Maryland north of Baltimore.

There is also the possibility of a

28.5 cent increase to the gasoline tax indexed to inflation, which would generate $168 million next year and $235 million averaged over a 20 year period. I don't believe a bill has been submitted for that this year as of yet.

Again, estimates from the Report I mentioned in the Parking Lot thread.

Nate

You mean increase to 28.5 cents, right? What is the Md tax now...something like 22 or 23 cents? With the volatility of gasoline prices these days, a 5 cent increase in the tax would go almost unnoticed, and is probably overdue. I think the gas tax is one of the fairest taxes...the more you use the roads, the more you pay. And for those who say it unfairly penalizes people with large SUV's that get poor mileage...they should pay more. The larger and heavier the vehicle, the more wear and tear on the roads.

You're right.

I apologize for the error. There was disscussion at the Committee hearings about a doubling or more of the gas tax. But I just looked at the Report again, and indeed you're correct: it would be an increase to 28.5 cents from the current rate 23.5 cents/gallon.

Nate

Will the population of greater Maryland really want to chip in for Baltimore's subway?

Will the population of greater Maryland really want to chip in for Baltimore's subway?

I want to. It will eventually be an economic boost to the state.

-MoCo resident

Will the population of greater Maryland really want to chip in for Baltimore's subway?

They would be paying into a transit account, that would be dispersed by MDOT and its Secretary and the transit agency administrator (the MTA presumably), IIUC. So they would not directly funding a Baltimore subway.

Mind you, the great bulk of the population is now in one large metro area, all of which is suffering with long commutes and traffic congestion. Paying for new highways is just as expensive at this point in time as available ROW have been consumed, subdivided and developed.

There are other alternatives where only combinations of DC and/or Baltimore metropolitan counties would pay these extra fees/taxes.

Nate

yes

yes

Nate, if this bill passes through legislation, when would it go into effect and when do you think we'd begin to see the effects of it? Does the bill specifically name among its purposes the funding of a HRT system in Baltimore?

What about making I-95 and I-270 toll roads to encourage people to use mass transit while raising money.

MD could get real slick and put toll plazas only at the state line, so that the undesirable effect that tollways have of dumping cars on surface streets would be eliminated.

Of course, the problem there is that the income would be much less.

What about making I-95 and I-270 toll roads to encourage people to use mass transit while raising money.

Yeah when they do the same for I-395, I-95(from Springfield to Fredericksburg), I-66, and I-495/95(from Alexandria to Great Falls); that will definately halp fund that $4 Billion Subway to Dulles/Loudon County.

Well, I-95 already sorta is. And then we'd have to restructure MDOT which puts the tolls under the Maryland Transportation Authority, which all goes toward roads.

Nate

And Roads(not just transit) needs to be built and well kept.

What about I-95 between Baltimore and Washington? That gets many more travelers than the portion of I-95 in Maryland north of Baltimore.

Under one condition that they complete the I-95 missing link.

Will the population of greater Maryland really want to chip in for Baltimore's subway?

Not only support building the subway but also support building the much needed highways to equal out growth of commuters.

They would be paying into a transit account, that would be dispersed by MDOT and its Secretary and the transit agency administrator (the MTA presumably), IIUC. So they would not directly funding a Baltimore subway.

Mind you, the great bulk of the population is now in one large metro area, all of which is suffering with long commutes and traffic congestion. Paying for new highways is just as expensive at this point in time as available ROW have been consumed, subdivided and developed.

There are other alternatives where only combinations of DC and/or Baltimore metropolitan counties would pay these extra fees/taxes.

Nate

Why can't Baltimore form their own Transit Authority like other major Cities?????????????????

Does the state have the authority to put a toll on the Capital Beltway or the B-W Parkway? I thought the Feds have authority over that?

Does the state have the authority to put a toll on the Capital Beltway or the B-W Parkway? I thought the Feds have authority over that?

Unless they are going to widen the B-W Parkway then there is no way in hell they should place tolls on the parkway just for transit.

Aren't they supposed to be building the ICC as an toll road?????????

What about I-95 between Baltimore and Washington? That gets many more travelers than the portion of I-95 in Maryland north of Baltimore.


Again, this would require restructuring the MdTA via state law--something I wouldn't mind, but probably not for this year, given the what we're working on now.

Nate

Nate, if this bill passes through legislation, when would it go into effect and when do you think we'd begin to see the effects of it? Does the bill specifically name among its purposes the funding of a HRT system in Baltimore?

This should go into effect at the beginning of FY2008, which should be July 1st, 2007.

Nothing in the bill specifies mode or project. It is simply an account into which funds are placed for the exclusive use of public transit by MTA and WMATA and LOTS.

http://mlis.state.md.us/2007rs/billfile/HB0393.htm

I won't say that I'm confident that this bill will get passed by both houses and signed by the governor, but I have a better feeling now than a few weeks ago.

Everyone in the General Assembly knows we are in a fiscal crisis just to MAINTAIN the status quo, let alone expand our system.

I really hope the 5 cent increse in the gas tax goes through, too. These days, it's a drop in the bucket as fuel prices fluctuate so wildly, and it would really add to our fund. Together, this funding could really put an end to the "we can't afford such and such" mantra from various groups and pundits. We'd be set for years to come (so long as we don't keep adding projects; I think this would cover a HRT Red and HRT TRAC Green Line and HRT DC Purple Line (so long as WMATA paid for a good chuck of that), DC Green and now this new DC Red Line extension by Senator Garagiola would be too much.

Nate

Why can't Baltimore form their own Transit Authority like other major Cities?????????????????

More state legislation required. Now with a more transit friendly governor (benevolent dictator ;)), I think this will be moved to the latter part of the term. It's in the City Master Plan to have one and I agree.

When the governor is transit friendly, the state plan works okay (well, if they like Baltimore). Under Ehrlich, the City--where the heaviest transit dependents are-- was at the mercy of an individual elected from the entire state.

Nate

Does the state have the authority to put a toll on the Capital Beltway or the B-W Parkway? I thought the Feds have authority over that?

This is a tricky issue. IIRC if the state used federal money to build the highway (as I'm sure they did for almost every major highway) the state cannot then start charging tools without paying the feds back there share, which since approved interstates were built with 90% federal funding would be a considerable sum of money. Many states have toyd with the idea of putting tolls on free interstates but the cost of paying back the feds has stopped the dead in there tracks.

Saying that, there are exceptions. Forr example the feds allowed MDOT to charge tolls for the harbor crossings because even MD's 10% portion of the cost was such a large amount of money. Additionally if the state had built the highway before it became an interstate or wanted to rush construction and not wait for federal funding (which is why I-95 north of Baltimore is a toll road) they could charge tolls.

Since MDOT is funding the complete rebuild of the I95/695 interchange in NE Baltimore, they can charge tolls for the express lanes. (I think this expansion is a bit overkill BTW). Va. has turned to public/private partnerships, mostly because VaDOT is even more dead broke than MDOT to build some of its newest expressways, where a private coporation builds the road and charges to use it.

More state legislation required. Now with a more transit friendly governor (benevolent dictator ;)), I think this will be moved to the latter part of the term. It's in the City Master Plan to have one and I agree.

When the governor is transit friendly, the state plan works okay (well, if they like Baltimore). Under Ehrlich, the City--where the heaviest transit dependents are-- was at the mercy of an individual elected from the entire state.

Nate

Whatever.

At least Ehrlich supported Business/Economic/Revenue Growth for Maryland.

I guess we'll have to wait and see how much O'Malley "cares" about encouraging more Business/Economic/Revenue Growth for Baltimore withing the next 3 years.

O'Malley's first screw ups was not fighting hard enough to keep the NAACP HeadQuarters from moving out of Baltimore.

For those who think others outside the metro area might not be willing to pay for urban transit....there is a possibility of....

Core Service Regional Area Sales Tax:
includes,
Baltimore City
Baltimore Co.
Anne Arundel
Montgomery
Prince Georges
=$224 million

Metropolitan Regional Area Sales Tax:
includes,
Baltimore City
Baltimore County
Anne Arundel
Carroll
Harford
Howard
Montgomery
Prince Georges
Charles
Frederick
=$292 million

These are in contrast to the $398/399 million for the entire state.

Nate

I'm conservative as well and my feeling is kinda mixed on this one. I want transit and I think I'd be willing to do this. However, I don't trust the goverment with my money, especially the liberals. If we just cut the waste and pointless programs we invest money in, I think we would have significant money available for transit. I just feel like so much money goes to waste or to crappy programs that really do nothing for anyone.

I'm conservative as well and my feeling is kinda mixed on this one. I want transit and I think I'd be willing to do this. However, I don't trust the goverment with my money, especially the liberals. If we just cut the waste and pointless programs we invest money in, I think we would have significant money available for transit. I just feel like so much money goes to waste or to crappy programs that really do nothing for anyone.

I agree 100% with EVERYTHING you stated.

I'm conservative as well and my feeling is kinda mixed on this one. I want transit and I think I'd be willing to do this. However, I don't trust the goverment with my money, especially the liberals. If we just cut the waste and pointless programs we invest money in, I think we would have significant money available for transit. I just feel like so much money goes to waste or to crappy programs that really do nothing for anyone.

I agree with this. We ought to be cautious. There is a lot of stupid spending that goes on for inefficient and useless programs and other causes. Liberals claim to be conscientious when it comes to spending, but in many cases, that just means implementing more taxes and at the same time starting new "services". So we need legislators who are not only fiscally responsible, but also rational and educated w/ respect to the problem. That way, they can analyze the problem, if a tax is needed b/c the problem is bad, than so be it, but if there are other effective ways that don't require taking more money from everyone's pockets, that's the better option.

The inefficiencies of most government programs are completely dwarfed by the cost of transportation infrastructure; as I keep harping on we need to spend billions more $ just to keep things AS IS (capital rehabilitation). I submit that govt inefficiency is endemic to a degree and we should not stop raising funds in hopes that we'll fix that problem before the rest of our services collapse.

Nate

I agree. That's why we need people that are rational and educated about the problems. Then they can gauge what is necessary. If we don't need to tax, that's great, but if we do need to tax, let's do so. And I believe that that is the way to go for our entire CSA region at this point. W/ the growth, we can't afford to fall too far behind w/ regards to infrastructure. We still have time, but we need to make some moves real quick. And for places that are either on the up or stagnant, improving infrastructure has always been a way to accommodate or boost.

I agree we must raise money to some degree. But we can save taxpayers money but having competent people in office not throwing money away. Plus, some of that money saved can be put toward a good use. My problem is incompetent people in office find a way to waste money raised as well.

I well aware, I work for the City ;); the cycle of low budgets leads to ineffective decisions, second-rate supervisors (the good ones go where the pay is better) and poor management with people with ill-defined jobs who don't know what to do and money and resources are wasted.

I think this is a bit different than pork type and political pay-off at the state and federal level though.

Nate

If you want ANY of these transit projects I hear about to come to fruition, the passage of this bill will generate the most funds of any funding mechansim proposed thus far.

Call you legislators!!

Write your legislators!!!

Go to Annapolis on February 27--1:00PM!!!!

Get there 2 hours early, FYI.

Nate

I just finished writing to my legislators. You can find their e-mails listed here http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/hsee.html. It literally takes thirty seconds to send them an e-mail. Everyone should do it, and if you're an expat (like me!), just e-mail all the legislators.

Tax-increase discussions under way
New revenue would fund priorities, close budget gap
By Laura Smitherman and Andrew A. Green
sun reporters
Originally published February 27, 2007
Maryland legislators have begun discussing tax measures that could fund priorities such as transportation projects and help fill impending budget gaps, including a proposal to extend the sales tax to haircuts, business consulting, tax preparation, shoe repairs and other services.

Although Gov. Martin O'Malley has said he wants to focus on streamlining government before considering any revenue measures, a House of Delegates committee will consider at a hearing today two bills to increase the sales tax to 5 1/2 percent or 6 percent, up from the current 5 percent, and to dedicate much of the new revenue to improving the state's mass transit system.

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The committee is expected to take up a proposal to expand the services subject to the sales tax next month.

Legislative leaders say most of the tax increases are unlikely to pass this year, but that the debates will likely serve as a prelude to the budget battles expected next year.

The state has enough in cash reserves to get through this year's legislative session without having to make difficult decisions about cuts in services or tax increases.

"We want all of these things on the table because we're obligated to discuss the options," said Del. Sheila E. Hixson, a Montgomery County Democrat and chairwoman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which handles tax matters. "It is questionable whether there's the political will this year, but we'll be ready to roll."

The tax proposals come as lawmakers look for ways to expand health care coverage for the state's uninsured and to build roads and schools - all in the face of a $1.3 billion gap between projected revenues and spending beginning for the fiscal year that starts in July 2008.

Lawmakers also are considering measures that would raise taxes on tobacco, alcohol and gasoline, the last of which was floated last week by an O'Malley transition report.

House Speaker Michael E. Busch said the tax proposals would serve to begin the debate and educate lawmakers about the options, many of which have been kicked around Annapolis for years but faced opposition from Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.

"It's good to have the debate and to see where there's support and where there's opposition, and what are our strengths and weaknesses compared to other states," Busch said. "But the governor is the one who's really in the position to lead the debate."

O'Malley spokesman Steve Kearney said that the governor's "priority right now is to get effective managers in place reviewing spending and getting government working again."

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, a Democrat, has been more eager to consider new revenues this year, suggesting recently that the legislature could come back in a special session this summer to tackle the issue. But the Senate and House would likely be at an impasse from the beginning: Many senators say they will not consider tax increases unless the state legalizes slot machine gambling. Busch opposes the idea.

"In the Senate, there is a feeling that slots has to be a part of the package," said Sen. Ulysses Currie, the Prince George's Democrat who chairs the Budget and Taxation Committee. "Whether it's slots first or with some other form of revenue, we haven't yet made that decision, but we realize with a billion-and-a-half structural deficit, slots has to be part of the solution."

The most lucrative slots package considered by the legislature in recent years would have produced $686 million a year for the state, roughly half of what would be needed to close the structural deficit. A one-cent increase in the sales tax would produce roughly $700 million a year, according to the Department of Legislative Services.

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce has called on the General Assembly to tap economists and accountants to undertake a comprehensive study of the state's tax structure. Kathleen T. Snyder, the chamber's president, said that if Maryland's system is "out of whack" compared with other states, then the legislature could end up driving businesses away.

"We need to make sure we keep Maryland competitive," Snyder said. "We want to keep jobs in Maryland."

The proposal to broaden the services covered by the sales tax is a case in point. Business groups say companies that provide the newly taxed services could move to neighboring states that don't tax them. The services of public relations firms, for instance, would be taxed under one bill, though they are not taxed in Virginia and Pennsylvania.

"This provides a disincentive to transact business in Maryland, and it provides an incentive to leave," said James B. Astrachan, president of the Advertising Association of Baltimore. "To me, this is really more about where they can find that low-hanging fruit so they can tax this stuff and grab some money."

Pending legislation also would extend the sales tax to parking garages, car washes, public lockers, interior decorators and massage parlors. Tracie Hoenig, owner of The Art of Massage in Annapolis, said she worries the tax could hurt her small business.

"Obviously, nobody wants to be taxed more than we already are," she said. "And massage is not cheap. Most people know it's an expense, so it could discourage customers by raising costs."

As for the number of services that are exempt from sales taxes, Maryland ranks in the middle of the pack nationally, according to a 2004 study by the national Federation of Tax Administrators. Delaware, New Mexico, Washington and Hawaii tax nearly all services; Oregon taxes none.

Advocates for the proposal say Maryland's economy has evolved but that the sales tax hasn't changed to reflect it, causing receipts to lag behind the growth of the overall economy.

Del. James W. Gilchrist, a Montgomery County Democrat, said his bill to expand the tax base could be amended to include more services or narrowed in scope. He said his legislation is based on a measure that failed in the 2004 General Assembly. That measure didn't include legal services, and Gilchrist acknowledged that adding that service might make the measure unpopular in a body that includes a number of lawyers.

"Some people said to put legal services on the list, and it will fly right through. ... I think they were kidding," Gilchrist said.

At the current 5 percent rate, the Gilchrist bill would net the state an additional $429 million a year, according to legislative analysts. If the assembly acted to both broaden the tax base and increase the rate to 6 percent, the state would collect roughly $1.2 billion annually in new revenue.

Gilchrist said he's aware of the reluctance among his colleagues to pass a tax increase this year. But, he said, "I would like to see us get a little bit of a start on the budget issues."

Evidently, TRAC President Edward Cohen made on to the WBAL evening news regarding the sales tax bill!

Unless this baby gets crossfiled in some magic way, I don't seriously expect it to pass this year.

I think all these revenue bills (and there are a lot of them) are here to test the waters and gauge reaction and get everyone informed. The matra has been for the past 2 months that nothing is going to happen this year as far as revenue increases, but next year is key. I'd like to get this and the gas tax bill. That would really set us up for continued and expanded transit operations.

You know, it finally took till now to get the Sun to really cover it. The day of! You'd think it would be a big deal, but I guess they decided it wasn't. So it wasn't on the public radar for better or worse.

Nate

We need to be extremely careful here; if not, we'll get burnt big time. The cost to Maryland citizens as well a national/international perception in the corporate realm are huge. But...

...my Maryland sources tell me the MOM plan for transit in Baltimore won't fly: main threat is Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority as well as the anticipated budget shortfall.

WMATA is fiercely advocating new funding to expand its system on the Maryland side. As it is, WMATA gets a lions share of its funding from each local jurisdiction that is determined by a formula that considers:

(1) average weekday ridership
(2) population density
(3) number of stations in each jurisdiction

This means Washington contributes (34%), Montgomery County (19%), PG County (18%), Fairfax County (14%), Arlington County (10%), Alexandria City (5%), Falls Church City (>1%), Fairfax City (>1%).

As it is, WMATA has tentacles that reach deep into Annapolis. Main concern is the MOM plan doesn't carry any weight within the DC/Baltimore region (read: the populous Washington suburbs in MD), and definitely outside the urban Baltimore area in Maryland. My sources predict MOM will back-off once he feels the heat from Montgomery and PG Counties. It's way too early in his administration to alienate. (Although one suggested it's to his advantage to push forward with a campaign promise early, offend, be defeated, and plead mea culpa.) In other words say, "I tried, what else could I do...?" and then move on.

An old colleague suggested the best way to expand transit in the Baltimore area is to form an allegiance with WMATA, possibly even dissolving WMATA and forming a new super-regional entity. Have Maryland fund a lions share of the budget. DC has been complaining for years it pays a disproportional amount into the system, and VA isn't too happy either. US Rep. Tom Davis of VA introduced H.R. 3496 in 2005 that offered an infusion worth $1.5 billion. I think he's taken quite a bit oh heat on that one; Richmond would probably be more than happy to cede oversight to Annapolis.

But the biggest concern is, again, the upcoming budget prediction. Will MOM be able to push this legislation through?

Well, TRAC is seriously looking at a regional transit authority, but given that we're just one big area now, a very large combined one, might be a more viable alternative.

Nate

I think a regional transit authority is a GREAT idea. As much as I love the comforts of travelling by car, I would be really motivated to take the metro if I could get to places anywhere in the Baltimore/Washington area through one network. My work often requires me to commute to Baltimore and/or DC. Because it is a pain to get to DC if I am in Baltimore or to Baltimore if I'm in DC, I wouldn't ordinarily consider taking the metro to work even if I had a station nearby. On the other hand, if I could travel within a single network..I, or anyone in my position, would seriously consider it. :)

I wanted to add that a combined transit authority is definitely viable because the areas between Baltimore and DC are built up and not just vast empty areas. If the area wasn't built up it wouldn't be viable because the metro would have to act like an commuter train from Baltimore to DC and vice-versa. Instead, we should have sufficient ridership and potential stations all along the way.

I agree with the above. WMATA should be dissolved to create a BWMATA. With the new rush of development in Anne Arundel and Howard County being compounded by BRAC, the metro area grows more and more cohesive every day. We're like a bigger, Eastern version of Dallas-Ft. Worth, except we have 2 equal partners.
I really hope the 1.5 billion dollar federal funding bill goes through.

Excuse my ignorance, but what is MOM?

I agree with the above. WMATA should be dissolved to create a BWMATA. With the new rush of development in Anne Arundel and Howard County being compounded by BRAC, the metro area grows more and more cohesive every day. We're like a bigger, Eastern version of Dallas-Ft. Worth, except we have 2 equal partners.
I really hope the 1.5 billion dollar federal funding bill goes through.

Excuse my ignorance, but what is MOM?

Those who favor O’Malley refer to him as MOM. Those who detest the man and his policies call him MOUTH.

That's the first I've heard of those.

Nate

Those who favor O’Malley refer to him as MOM. Those who detest the man and his policies call him MOUTH.

Well I'll just call him Mouth Of Mud.

Yes, I am all for it, as long as it does not involve buses. A durable envirnmentally friendly rail system is what is needed.

What ever happened to the Federal Maglev project? I thought The Baltimore-Washington Cooridor was one of a few finalists.

I don't know if I would want a MAGLEV project in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. Transit in this region is really important with the way it is growing so I don't feel comfortable with the idea of us being the guinea pigs of an experiment. MAGLEV projects are usually too expensive and would drain money that could be used to expand the networks we have in place or possibly merge the two networks (MTA & WMATA). Also, I feel like MAGLEV would be more of a commuter train because of their speeds whereas we need expansion in the transit system to provide coverage to more areas.

Yes, it would be nice to have a flashy MAGLEV project and I'm sure it would draw people to use public transport but overall it doesn't really help our cause IMO.

Yes, I would.

I don't know if I would want a MAGLEV project in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. Transit in this region is really important with the way it is growing so I don't feel comfortable with the idea of us being the guinea pigs of an experiment. MAGLEV projects are usually too expensive and would drain money that could be used to expand the networks we have in place or possibly merge the two networks (MTA & WMATA). Also, I feel like MAGLEV would be more of a commuter train because of their speeds whereas we need expansion in the transit system to provide coverage to more areas.

Yes, it would be nice to have a flashy MAGLEV project and I'm sure it would draw people to use public transport but overall it doesn't really help our cause IMO.

The Maglev would increase Baltimore's home prices, increase per capita income and increase population. It would enable many people who need jobs in DC to live in Baltimore. The technology behind the Maglev itself would also bring tons of technology related business to the area. Undoubtedly Maglev will expand in this country, and if it starts off here there's a good chance we'll get a bunch of jobs related to the industry here. We're one of 2 finalists, the other being Pittsburgh where the Maglev is supposed to go between downtown and the airport.
I think the current (massive) surge in global warming awareness is going to make congress go back to this plan. Mass transit and climate protection is on congress' mind right now. On that note, I think there is going to be a major "Live Earth" concert somewhere in the Balt/DC area in July for global warming. It's supposed to be something like the Live 8 from 2005.

Yes, I am all for it, as long as it does not involve buses. A durable envirnmentally friendly rail system is what is needed.

What ever happened to the Federal Maglev project? I thought The Baltimore-Washington Cooridor was one of a few finalists.

We certainly need lots more rail, but a lot of the money would necessarily have to be spent on buses, too. Remember, this money is potentially for both operating as well as capital expenses.

Either way buses have to be replaced after 12-15 years, and as our population expands we'll need more buses, and that's a capital expense.

If you're refering to constructing new transit lines, we need rail over bus for all of our larger projects and for a Baltimore regional rapid transit system.

Once we have that, we'll spend less on buses, both capital and operating, since we'll have high-capacity rail--which costs less to operate per unit. Rail for Bal/Wash is a much wiser investment for the future for most new type transit services.

Nate

We certainly need lots more rail, but a lot of the money would necessarily have to be spent on buses, too. Remember, this money is potentially for both operating as well as capital expenses.

Either way buses have to be replaced after 12-15 years, and as our population expands we'll need more buses, and that's a capital expense.

If you're refering to constructing new transit lines, we need rail over bus for all of our larger projects and for a Baltimore regional rapid transit system.

Once we have that, we'll spend less on buses, both capital and operating, since we'll have high-capacity rail--which costs less to operate per unit. Rail for Bal/Wash is a much wiser investment for the future for most new type transit services.

Nate
Do you have any data concerning the costs per unit of Maglev compared to HRT and commuter rail? If the Green Line becomes a reality, I'm wondering if it would be wiser to go Maglev...

^Not off hand.

But there are several variables at play. Maglev would offer high "benefit"--time-savings. So, it may have a higher unit cost, but be deemed worth it. Many people might be willing to pay VERY high fares for VERY time-short trips.

Maglev's variables are more fixed because there was only Union, BWI, and Camden stations planned. (Though it's nonsensical to plan a superspeed train for ONLY that short a distance--on to Boston at some point). The Green Line would really depend on how many stops it had, how many users it had, and how far they were traveling--which would require a study.

I can say this much off-the-cuff for sure given current mark popularity, if the average would-be Green Liner is going a LONG distance like from BWI to the District, commuter is going to be cheaper per unit. Short distances? Green might be comparable or cheaper, but then that's different than commuter-type service.

Nate

Yeah I agree, it depends on the type of usage that people are trying to get out of a line between the two cities. You pretty much cover the three main areas of the usage spectrum w/ respect to rail travel w/ HRT, Commuter and Maglev.

Yeah I agree, it depends on the type of usage that people are trying to get out of a line between the two cities. You pretty much cover the three main areas of the usage spectrum w/ respect to rail travel w/ HRT, Commuter and Maglev.