The editorial opined:
"Concerned residents should review and comment on 'what's in the works'. Consider it the start of a vital, regional discussion".
"Substantial revisions to Sound Transit's work plan, included the current mix of rail and buses, may be needed"
The Times urging residents comment on "what's in the works" 12 years after Prop 1 passed seems rather "belated". The suggestion revising "current mix of rail and buses" ignores Times abetting Sound Transit decade long refusal to increase bus transit capacity. The editorial shows the Times still doesn't recognize their real problem contending:
"The promised spine linking Everett, Seattle, and Tacoma must be completed".
The Times has never recognized the DSTT limited light rail capacity to where the riders added by the extensions will reduce access to current light rail riders, potentially ending access during peak commute. However the public response they generated to the TDP led to it no longer being available on the Internet.
Still the Times continues to abet CEO Rogoff incompetence. His October 14 "Financial Plan update & Proposed 2121 Budget" can best be described as an "overview"with a series of charts showing the pandemic impact on both the "Long Range Financial Plan" and the "Proposed 2021 Budget".
The "Long Range Plan" consists of a 4-year delay for the West Seattle-to-Ballard Link. His Proposed 2021 Budget provides no details on current transit mode operation, He funds his "System Expansion" with a $700 million TIFIA loan and a further increase in property tax. Rogoff neglects to include the $700 million in the long-term pandemic debt chart. The Sound Transit Board had apparently previously approved a property tax increase, $125 for $500,000 home, to replace potential I-976 loss.
That remains in effect despite I-976 being invalidated and the board is being asked to impose an additional increase this year. The Times apparently abets Sound Transit doing so with no clear indication as to what gave the Sound Transit the authority for either increase, what additional rate do they intend to ask for, and what limits that increase.
The Times abetting Sound Transit "spine" precludes a far better option to mitigate pandemic impact; use the existing funds to expedite the far less expensive West Seattle-to-Ballard link. Thousands of additional Seattle commuters would benefit instead of existing Central Link riders losing access because of Lynnwood and Federal Way extension riders.
There would be no need for the TIFIA loan or the property tax increase. The Times was right to suggest residents comment on "what's in the works" with Sound Transit's TPD. It's even more important they stop abetting Rogoff incompetence by informing readers about better options than Rogoff's 2021 budget.
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