February 6, 2001
Dear Sound Transit Board Member:
Due to a series of events over the past year, the Downtown Seattle Association no
longer supports Sound Transit's current plans for light rail. Since we understand the need
for dramatic improvements in public transit services, we hope the choices Sound Transit
will make in the next several months will result in a credible program that we can support
with enthusiasm.
As a first step, the Sound Transit Board and staff need to clearly state that they will
consider options to the current plan that might be quicker to implement, more cost
effective and better able to get people out of automobiles. Unfortunately, in both word
and action, Sound Transit appears determined to proceed with the current project without
considering such alternatives. We believe that the current light rail plan will never
regain credibility unless it can measure up against other rail and non-rail options in an
open, public process conducted by people who are truly open-minded about the result.
The Sound Transit Board should suspend all actions to implement the current light rail
plan (such as property acquisition) until a thorough review of alternatives and the
financial and technical feasibility of the plan are concluded. Continuing to incur
obligations and expense in pursuing this plan inevitably increases the agency's commitment
to it and would discredit any representations that it is giving alternatives a fair
review.
As Sound Transit proceeds to select a new chief executive, it has an opportunity to reach
out to various communities of interest to ask about the type of person who could lead a
credible process of evaluation and program change. We hope the new leadership will be
innovative, sensitive to differing points of view and energetic in seeking solutions that
will earn widespread support.
Sound Transit must recognize that congestion relief cannot wait ten years or more for the
completion of a meaningful segment of light rail. The Seattle area needs immediate steps
to relieve congestion that may include van pools, additional bus service, Ride Free, and
HOV lane completion. These steps do not preclude, and should be consistent with, long-
term solutions that could include light rail, commuter trains and monorails or trolleys.
Sound Transit should be actively seeking and supporting both immediate and long range
solutions.
Sound Transit leadership should take time to identify a role that is responsive to the
region's public transportation needs and consistent with any changes made by the
legislature as a result of the Blue Ribbon Committee on Transportation's recommendations.
If needed, Sound Transit should be willing to ask voters for changes to its charter,
mission and program to carry out new roles and responsibilities.
We hope you will find the foregoing to be constructive suggestions for meaningful action
that will restore Sound Transit's credibility. DSA remains committed to the development of
transit options that work and would like to be able to support Sound Transit future
efforts.
Sincerely,
Yogi Hutsen
Chairman
cc: Sound Transit Board
Seattle City Council
Metropolitan King County Council
Story in the February 10, 2001 Seattle P-I about this letter.
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Last modified: October 21, 2008