Editorial

The farther the SMART train project moves down the line, the
more disappointments and unanswered questions seem to pile up.
What was first a shocking $155 million shortfall announced last
February has now become an overwhelming $350 million funding and
cost gap. The numbers are so bad that SMART project officials are
now contemplating building only half a train project, delaying a
final phase by 2-4 years, or longer. That idea will strand would-be
passengers north of Santa Rosa — an idea met this week with
exasperation and criticisms by Windsor, Healdsburg and Cloverdale
town officials
There are so many surprising numbers, miscalculated estimates
and unsure plans, that we fear more than just a recent poor economy
may be to blame. Many original criticisms against the bi-county
taxpayer project may be proving true. At best, much of the original
optimism for the project is being tested. Public accountability at
this juncture might require a lengthy and exhaustive return to the
“drawing board.” Sonoma and Marin taxpayers are now on the hook for
paying $845 million in sales tax over the next 20 years. They
deserve more convincing answers and possible new creative
solutions.
The story of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) has
always been one of torment. After first failing at the ballot box,
two-thirds of Sonoma and Marin voters passed Measure Q in 2008,
authorizing a quarter-cent sales tax to subsidize the 78-mile,
14-station commuter and weekend excursion rail service.
The original start-up and construction estimate was $695
million, with other funding coming from rider fares, state and
federal transit grants and long term bonds. The entire SMART system
was to be completed by 2014.
Then, the Recession shrunk sales tax collection and led to a
poor bond market. Worse, original construction, engineering and
rail estimates were off by almost 20 percent, adding $106 million
to original cost estimates.
That brings us to today’s $350 million shortfall, with only
enough money to build a transit system between San Rafael and Santa
Rosa, delaying proposed service north through Windsor, Healdsburg
and Cloverdale, as well as south to the Larkspur Ferry
Terminal.
SMART leaders — appointed representatives from Sonoma and Marin
cities and county governments — are now publicly sharing their
“disappointment” and “frustrations.” Taxpayers are left to share an
annual sales tax burden and ownership of an insolvent dream.
The original purposes of Measure Q was four-fold, all to be
solved by the construction of the SMART train and adjacent
multi-use path. Measure Q funds were set to be used for relieving
traffic congestion along the Highway 101 commute corridor; help
fight global warming and increase transportation alternatives. The
tax measure also was written to provide daily, two-way train
commuter service with stops every 30 minutes along the 78-mile
route; operate a weekend excursion train service, cooperate with
renewed freight service on the same rails; and, construct a
Multi-Use Pathway for bicycle, pedestrian and other public use.
Measure Q came with many questions and very few of them have yet
to be answered.
Will as many as 4,500 people abandon their daily car commutes
and pay $4.50 or more each way to ride SMART? With only “half a
train” between Santa Rosa and San Rafael now being proposed for
phase one construction, will only half as many passengers show
up?
With almost all other road, building and infrastructure
construction costs being flattened these days by a slow economy,
how come all of SMART’s costs are going up?
With construction yet to begin, and a down-sized phase one
project still three years from completion, what other
“surprising” numbers lie in the path of SMART leaders and
taxpayers?
The original goals and purposes of Measure Q and the SMART
project have always been praiseworthy. SMART represents an
ambitious set of public policies and forward-thinking initiatives.
But right now everyone deserves more creditable answers, verified
cost updates and more realistic promises.
— Rollie Atkinson