Maryland’s next governor will have resources to upgrade transit | READER COMMENTARY

A latest editorial in The Baltimore Solar advised that Gov. Larry Hogan left the door open to reviving the Crimson Line in Baltimore however asserted “there isn’t a pot of money sitting round” to pay for such a venture. We are saying, don’t surrender so simply (”Shock! Gov. Hogan opens door to Crimson Line revival (however solely barely),” June 6)!

Maryland spends about $5 billion yearly on transportation utilizing a mix of state and federal funding. Maryland’s subsequent governor could have extensive discretion in how we allocate that transportation finances and we’ll urge the subsequent administration to reprioritize transit, together with rejuvenating the Crimson Line, the deliberate east-west rail line in Baltimore.

To start, our state transportation funds will stretch additional if we restrict state freeway spending to system preservation — fixing roads, highways and bridges — as a substitute of regularly widening roads.

Maryland has an enormous $7.5 billion finances surplus. As a substitute of spending it on gimmicky fuel tax “holidays” that make us extra depending on oil, Maryland may use a portion of it for our state match to go after main new federal funding.

In 2015, Maryland was slated to obtain $900 million in federal funding by the New Begins grant program to construct the Crimson Line earlier than Governor Hogan stopped the venture. At this time, New Begins has extra money than ever. Maryland ought to restart the Crimson Line and put collectively a proposal for federal funding.

Moreover, a brand new governor could have the flexibleness to make use of different pots of federal transportation funding for transit, somewhat than highways. Federal cash may assist transit operations within the close to time period. Different states use federal Congestion Mitigation and Air High quality funding for transit operations. Maryland has not, however we may faucet into these funds to run buses extra steadily in underserved areas together with Baltimore’s east-west hall.

If we prioritize public transit, the advantages will probably be many. Higher transit and fewer driving alone imply much less air air pollution which helps us handle the local weather disaster. A greater transit system helps join extra individuals to jobs which fuels financial development. Maryland’s subsequent governor could have energy over the best way to spend $5 billion yearly. Let’s get our priorities proper.

— Brian O’Malley, Baltimore

The author is president and CEO of the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance.

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