Priorities

by Andrew Nelson

“How does a project get to be a year behind schedule? One day at a time.” – Fred Brooks

Let me be clear from the very beginning: I am not saying that a public transit budget is the most important issue facing local governments.

City governments and their transit counterparts face incredible, complex, and usually politically-charged issues when they develop their budgets. It is difficult, if not impossible, to compare the safety, health, and security of a population to their bus system. However, I'd like to make an effort to explain why I think we need to take better care of our public infrastructure on a regular basis.

My parents owned a Volvo when I was growing up. When the time for the 30-, 60-, or 90-thousand mile checkup came around, the car dealer would send a maintenance reminder saying "the cause of major problems is not fixing the minor ones," implying that the only way my parents could avoid paying huge maintenance fees in the long run was to make sure that the oil was checked, the brakes actually stop the car, and the engine worked. Taking care of minor problems before they become major ones is a truism. It applies to car maintenance, your dental care, school, work, and yes, it applies to public transit infrastructure.

Many local governments recognize the importance of filling in potholes, improving rail lines, or upgrading buses on a regular basis. However, public agencies often let their transit infrastructure maintenance slide in exchange for other pressing issues such as police, fire, education, or garbage removal. In fact, one recent study from the American Public Transit Association found that "40% [of transit agencies] are delaying capital improvements". It is easier in the short run to push back these transit improvements for another year, or maybe three, or maybe five. The problem, however, is that in five years you are no longer paying for the improvement you wanted to pay for originally. You are paying for the original problem plus five years of additional wear and tear. If that wasn't enough, you are also paying more dollar for dollar plus the cost of inflation. When comparing all of these minor buildups, you find that not only has the problem become worse, but fixing it now costs an exorbitant amount of money that you don't have.

A recent Wall Street Journal article underlines this problem among public transit agencies. In Boston, for example, "the fleet of 80 aging locomotives [for the T subway system] had, among other woes, trouble starting, keeping auxiliary power functioning for lighting systems and maintaining enough air pressure for braking systems". The transit company hadn't bought new locomotives in 20 years and had skimped on maintenance repairs. Just in order to maintain service, the company had to raise fares and lower service levels. As gas prices rise, the article states, ridership increases because individuals substitute the public transit for driving their cars. Thus, not only are transport vehicles outdated and under-maintained, but more people are riding them!

Benjamin Franklin said, "You may delay, but time will not." A small wins strategy and a wise, long-term capital improvement plan can help cities stay on top of their transit needs while at the same time keeping abreast of the best practices and newest technologies in the sector. Neglecting public transport and transit issues in budgets will ultimately cost more money, time, and frustration for city governments and residents.

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