My Letter for Light Rail in Montgomery County

In case you missed it, I wanted to quickly bring to your attention an my letter to the editor that appeared in last Wednesday's Montgomery County Gazette regarding the need for light-rail in Montgomery County.

Please take a look by clicking here.
(I have included the text of the entire article below for your convenience)

During this time of high gas prices and given the urgency of reducing green-house gas emissions, we need to do whatever we can to reduce the number of miles driven in personal automobiles. I firmly believe that rail-transport is a crucial tool to make that happen.

- Saqib

Upcounty Needs World-Class Transit to Support Needs

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008

I read the recent Gazette article in which some members of the Montgomery County Planning Board advocated for a bus route along the Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT) instead of light-rail. I respectfully disagree with their assessment.

Like most elected officials from upper Montgomery County, I am a strong advocate for the CCT. I also believe that a light-rail line is a far superior solution than a bus route.

Numerous studies demonstrate that light-rail may be more expensive upfront but is far more effective than express bus routes. More high quality economic development occurs near light-rail versus bus transit. People are far likelier to switch from cars to trains rather than buses. Light-rail is more scalable because as demand increases, cars can be added without paying more operators. Light-rail is perceived as more permanent and, once in place, operational funding is more secure. Travel-times tend to be more predictable because rail is routed along dedicated rights-of-way. Such predictability is crucial for passengers planning their journey with confidence.

I urge members of the Planning Board and Transportation Secretary John Porcari to provide the upcounty with a world-class solution to our transportation problems. That means a light-rail line along the route of the CCT.

Saqib Ali, North Potomac

The writer, a Democrat, represents District 39 in the House of Delegates.