Gov. Backs Look at Rail Tax (NM-Richardson's Railroad)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | January 18, 2008 | Raam Wong

[CedarDave]

Gov. Bill Richardson has changed his mind and now supports consideration of a regional transportation district to raise taxes to finance the Rail Runner commuter train— an idea Richardson firmly rejected in September.

Richardson's office issued a statement Thursday night saying the state Transportation Commission has "made a compelling argument that there is strong support for these districts to help pay for operations and maintenance" of the Rail Runner.

In September, Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught proposed a regional transit district under which voters in Santa Fe, Bernalillo, Sandoval and Valencia counties would be asked to approve a $25 million gross receipts tax increase to pay for the train's operating costs.

The next day, Richardson— who was out of state campaigning for president— nixed the plan ...

Richardson spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said at the time that the tax plan was "off the table" and that the governor expected to consider other options to pay for the Rail Runner. A few days later, Gallegos was even more emphatic— he said the tax idea was "off the table forever."

~~snip~~

The Rail Runner now runs between Belen and Bernalillo at an operating cost of $9.5 million a year. More than $8 million of that is paid by the federal government, but that funding disappears in 2009. That will happen as operating costs are projected to rise to $20 million a year with the extension of service to Santa Fe.

~~snip~~

Lawrence Rael, director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments, told the commission the idea of having communities served by the Rail Runner pay its operating costs "clearly resonated outside the (rail line's) corridor."

~~snip~~

While [Lt. Gov.] Denish's news release focused on creating a transit district for the Rail Runner, she said voters statewide should be allowed to approve the creation of transit districts.

[CedarDave]

Well, well, well. Now that he's now longer running for president, he changes his mind and will set into motion the establishment of a district that will finally let the voters decide if they want this boondoggle to operate. Too late to stop construction, but maybe they can wrangle some concessions out of the state such as having customers pay a fair fare (like 70-80% of operational costs) instead of the 7-9% anticipated when the RR starts running to SF.

[CedarDave]

PING!

Lawrence Rael, director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments, told the commission the idea of having communities served by the Rail Runner pay its operating costs "clearly resonated outside the (rail line's) corridor."

I'll just bet it did. When the DOT had their statewide meetings last fall, the theme was "Why is the Gov's RR eating up money that should be used to pay for our roads?"

[King of Florida]

Because of my longstanding passion for trains, and despite my otherwise unwavering adherence to the principles of small government, this railfan wholeheartedly supports each and every boondoggle throughout this great land of ours that would lead to more trains.

(Hey, a foolish consistency IS the hobgoblin of little minds, you know!)

[Old Retired Army Guy]

iI understand the last day for filing for the Senate seat being vacated by Domenici is February 5th. Don’t be surprised to see Bill file for this.

[Old Retired Army Guy]

iI understand the last day for filing for the Senate seat being vacated by Domenici is February 5th. Don’t be surprised to see Bill file for this.

[Army Air Corps]

Frankly, who the hell is going to ride this train? What is the route of the Richardson Express?

[CedarDave]

Richardson, in his bailing-out speech last week, said he was going to give his full support to Tom Udall in his campaign to replace Domenici. And Richardson’s never been one to change his mind, right?

[CedarDave]

I have a passion for trains, too. But in sparsely settled NM running in the ROW of 75 mph I-25?? An hourly bus service with the RR money going to improve those sections of the two-lane road not reconstructed since being built in the early 70’s would serve the taxpayers much better.

[CedarDave]

2,500 per day currently ride the existing service between Belen and Bernalillo. Whether that’s 1,250 passengers riding twice a day or not, I don’t know. The fare is ridiculously low - $3 round trip between two zones. For that, taxpayers are paying $135 million (half billion when the SF extension is completed) and a fare recovery hovering around 10%.

[CedarDave]

BTW, the route of the existing RR is north-south along the Rio Grande. The main population in ABQ is east-west. And the new construction is going up the 700 ft. La Bajada cliff face which means a series of loops and curves.

Here are interesting animated videos of how the RR will look for its run into Santa Fe (WARNING - VERY MEMORY INTENSIVE!):

Rail Runner Rendition NB (wmv 49MB)

Rail Runner Rendition SB (wmv 48MB)

Click on the keyword Richardson's Railroad for all the stories on this boondoggle.

[CedarDave]

This is the terrain the RR will have to climb:

This is what construction is doing to I-25 traffic:

[CedarDave]

BTW, the area is as sparsely populated as the pictures show.

[CORedneck]

I hate to admit but living here in Colorado Springs, I would like to see Denver RTD extend their light rail down here or even as far as Pueblo. I was in Japan last Summer and rode their trains. It was nice considering that you can just about go anywhere without having to drive. I am one that was NOT in favor of spending money for light rail.

I also used light rail up in Minneapolis when I had a 5 hour layover between flights. I would go down to Mall of America on the train. Cost less than a few dollars. Cheaper than taxi.

One criticism for the Denver light rail, the trains stations are not easily accessible such as from Yosemite on the West side of I-25 right before it crosses it. The owner of the big corporate building put in fence to force you to keep walking on Yosemite over I-25 to the East side and then take another bridge back to the West Side to the train station.

[CedarDave]

Coming north into Santa Fe:

[CedarDave]

Richardson has bought the BNSF line from Belen to the Colorado border. He would like to re-establish rail service from El Paso to Denver. However, it takes money and with his billion dollar health plan and his slamming the oil and gas industry drilling programs (which provide 25% of state revenues) it’s not going to happen.

[Army Air Corps]

Just what the NM rate payers need, another programme that sucks the lifeblood from their wallets. Why not make the state friendly to capital and business? How about THAT Bill?

[King of Florida]

I understand, and, boy, it's easy for me to spend NM taxpayer money living in South Florida, but would that this area's city fathers had the foresight to build some rail out to the then-sparsely settled areas here that are now jam-packed with developments and horrible traffic.

If I could take the train to work, I would be happier than a pig in you know what.

[CedarDave]

Development in this area is limited by two things: Water and Indian lands. There are only a couple of areas between ABQ and SF where there is private land. From south to north from ABQ:
Pueblos of Sandia, Santa Ana, San Felipe, Cochiti, and Santo Domingo. BLM, Forest Service and the Corp of Engineers has a lot, also.

What you are saying makes a lot of sense: Commuter rail in densely populated urban areas works, even though it requires some subsidy. This is just a feel-good project that is not needed. Heck, some parts of the interstate have not been improved since first construction back in the 60's and 70's and one section in particular has been postponed again so funds can be spent on the RR.