Southern California Leaders Unite to Strategize Transportation Solutions During a Slowing Economy
- Mobility 21 Southern California Transportation Summit Convenes Nearly 500 Government, Business and Civic Leaders to Address Region’s Transportation Priorities
Download: 2008 Transportation Summit Program
LOS ANGELES, CA – Nearly 500 government, business and civic leaders from across Southern California today joined together for the 7th Annual Southern California Transportation Summit hosted by Mobility 21, the region’s leading coalition dedicated to finding transportation solutions across five Southern California counties. This year’s event focused on strategies to help transit agencies and other groups address regional transportation priorities during the current economic and fiscal climate.
 |
Mobility 21 participants included Metro CEO Roger Snoble, U.S. Rep. Laura Richardson, U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert and Ventura County Transportation Commission Executive Director Darren Kettle. |
U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert and California State Assembly Member Mike Feuer addressed elected officials and business, transportation and community leaders representing the region's more than 17 million residents. The Summit was attended by many other notable Southern California leaders including: U.S. Rep. Laura Richardson; California State Senator and Transportation and Housing Committee Chair, Alan Lowenthal; California State Assemblymember and incoming Transportation Committee Chair, Mike Eng; Los Angles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, and more than a dozen other regional transportation and government officials.
"L.A.'s transportation crisis poses a growing threat to our quality of life. In light of the crisis it is important to pass Measure R," said Assemblymember Feuer. "I am delighted to be a part of this event today. Mobility 21's Summit creates a venue for transportation leaders to come together, collaborate and speak with one voice in the best interest of all Southland transit. Together we can pass Measure R and transform L.A.'s future."
Among challenges discussed by the group was the next five-year federal transportation authorization plan, a primary source of funding for capital projects and public transit in Southern California that is currently being drafted in Congress. Particularly since California is suffering from a state economic crisis, Mobility 21 will this year work to provide the needed advocacy for Southern California to get its fair share of ever-scarcer transportation funding.
"The credit crunch is hurting public transportation at exactly the time when we are needed most," said Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Antonio Villaraigosa. "Public transportation can actually help cash-strapped consumers save money -- about $10,000 a year in our region -- and construction of new transit and highway projects would create thousands of new construction jobs to help temper the economic downturn. Now, more than ever, we need to work together as a coalition to attract funding for transportation to our region to fund new projects and expand service."
In Ventura County, the current state budget crisis is expected to cut funds for a major widening project underway on Route 118 in Simi Valley, halting construction and leaving the 118 without a new westbound lane.
"Ventura County needs increased investment in transportation to address soaring transit ridership, as well as congestion," said Kathy Long, Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) Vice Chair and Ventura County Supervisor. "In Ventura County, where we have no local transportation funding source, we need reliable State and Federal transportation funds to maintain our transportation system and to make necessary improvements in the future."
Already proposing a 25 cent fare increase, the raids on state public transit in 2008 have forced the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to consider a larger increase and administrative cuts.
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's line item vetoing of $100 million for public transit will result in lower capital expenditures and lead to cuts at a time when we should be investing more in transportation," said OCTA Vice Chairman Peter Buffa. More cuts are expected and OCTA fears nearly 25 percent of its operating budget could be slashed if transit funding comes under fire again.
"Improving the region’s transportation mobility is a central component of rising energy costs and growing public transportation demand. As Congress prepares for the five-year federal surface transportation funding bill in 2009, Southern California’s agencies will have much to contribute," said Hasan Ikhrata, Executive Director of the Southern California Association of Governments. "Southern California officials will work with Congress in crafting public transportation solutions including affordable energy and sustainable transportation with stable funding sources," he added.
This year’s Summit will serve as the springboard for the Mobility 21 coalition’s advocacy efforts for the coming year. As critical transportation legislation makes its way through federal, state and local governments, Mobility 21 will speak with a unified voice to provide the needed advocacy for Southern California to get its fair share of scarce and shrinking transportation funding to the region. More information on Mobility 21 is available at www.mobility21.com.
The Southern California Transportation Summit is presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Orange County Business Council, the Orange County Transportation Authority, the Riverside County Transportation Commission, San Bernardino Associated Governments, Southern California Association of Governments, Ventura County Federated Chambers of Commerce and the Ventura County Transportation Commission.
