Bus riding trend likely to stick

Using mass transit is the single biggest thing the average person can do to slow global warming, a national leader in public transportation said in Spokane last week.

Riding the bus can reduce a person’s “carbon footprint” by two tons a year, said William Millar, president of the American Public Transportation Association.

“That’s about 10 percent of the average household’s carbon production,” he told a group of Spokane transit officials.

That’s more of a carbon reduction than can be achieved by replacing conventional light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, weatherizing a home and getting a new energy-efficient refrigerator, he said.

In a two-adult household with two vehicles, getting rid of one of the two automobiles and using mass transit results in even larger gains while saving $8,000 to $9,000 a year in automobile-related expenses, Millar said.

“The point being, simple things mean a lot,” he said.

In addition, using mass transit creates demand for U.S. products and workers because the federal government requires that buses and transit rail stock be largely assembled domestically.

“The buses you buy are built in America. The people you hire come out of your job market,” Millar said.

Transit is expected to be an important element in future U.S. policy on energy and climate change, he said.

Congress is scheduled to rewrite the federal government’s six-year transportation funding bill starting next year.

Regardless of what happens Tuesday, it seems likely that the federal government will look more favorably at transit to reduce reliance on foreign oil and the increase in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, which scientists say cause climate change.

“No matter who gets elected, there will be support to finally deal with these issues in a way we haven’t,” Millar said. “I think transit has to be part of any solution. It’s not the whole solution.”

In Spokane, transit ridership has increased steadily for the past three years. Through September, bus use is up by 19.5 percent over last year. Spokane Transit Authority officials said that the number of rides taken in October is expected to surpass the one million mark for the first time ever.

Ridership nationally increased by 5.2 percent in the first half of 2008, but in cities the size of Spokane and smaller, the use of transit has increased at a faster rate – nationally at 11 percent, Millar said.

The ongoing upswing in transit ridership traces back to a spike in gasoline prices to $3 a gallon following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. “That was the tipping point,” he said.

Experience in recent years shows that once people switch to transit they often don’t go back to their cars if the transit system meets their commuting needs, Millar said.

Because transit is subsidized by taxes, revenue coming into transit agencies has slowed due to the economy even as fuel prices have risen. That means that the agencies are faced with budget cuts, increased fares or depletion of reserves, Millar said.

Spokane’s transit board is facing budget problems starting in 2009, and there has been discussion of fare increases, local officials have said.

In the long run, electrically powered systems, including light rail, offer some protection from the ongoing possibility of higher prices for petroleum products, Millar said.

Winter driving season begins

The winter highway season officially began Saturday when the Washington Department of Transportation opened its mountain pass report system.

Information on road, travel and pass conditions is available by visiting wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes or calling 511. The phone system is equipped to use voice commands.

The DOT also advises drivers traveling in the mountains to be equipped for winter weather and carry tire chains. Emergency supplies, including extra water, food, flares, a blanket and traction sand, are a good idea.

Studded snow tires are legal in Washington through March 31. DOT is asking motorists to consider nonstudded tires, including newer types of snow tires reported to have superior traction capability, because studs cause damage to road surfaces.

In Idaho, studded tires are allowed Oct. 1 through April 30. Road information in Idaho is also available on the 511 hotline system.

Under construction

Construction is nearly completed on a new Geiger spur rail crossing on state Highway 902 near Welcome Road. No traffic restrictions are in force there, but flaggers may be out.

Work on state Highway 20 east of Republic at the base of Sherman Pass is going to restrict traffic to one lane with flaggers on duty to control the single lane 24 hours a day. Expect delays of up to 20 minutes, state DOT officials said.

State Highway 291 is under construction to build shoulder turn lanes for a new fast-food restaurant at Swenson Road in Suncrest. Delays of up to five minutes are expected through much of this week.

In Spokane, Washington Street near Pacific Avenue will be reduced by two lanes until 10 p.m. today for a water utility installation.

Five Mile Road near Stratton Road will be reduced to one lane today from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to repair a water line.

Aubrey L. White Parkway from Downriver Drive to the wastewater plant will be closed to traffic through Friday for work on a sewer outfall.

Southbound Nevada Street north of Hawthorne Road will be reduced by one lane this week as part of a landscaping installation for a new commercial development.

State Highway 902 near West Geiger Boulevard in Airway Heights will have lane closures while crews install a water main.