The vision of better transit is worth pursuing, but not if it deepens inequities in South County, writes Tony Nuñez, a longtime Watsonville activist, journalist and board president of the Pajaro Valley Health Care District. True progress means tapping into Watsonville’s potential so our city can finally shape its own future, he writes. He supports the rail trail, but says the tax should be lower for those with fewer means.
rail trail opinion
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Letter to the editor: We already have Metro – do we need a train?
In a letter to the editor, a Santa Cruz resident asks why so many are focused on bringing passenger rail to the area when Metro bus service works countywide.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Letter to the editor: Talk of train leaves out those of us who don’t drive
In a letter to the editor, a Palo Alto resident takes issue with a recent story about passenger rail.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Letter to the editor: Why not use rails to move people from Seabright to 7th Avenue?
In a letter to the editor, a Corralitos resident suggests using a rail vehicle to move pedestrians across the rail bridge over the Santa Cruz Harbor while the parallel Murray Street Bridge is closed.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
I tried to understand the rail trail controversy so you wouldn’t have to
The rail trail discourse continues to divide Santa Cruz County, and here, Daniel DeLong attempts to unpack all the ins and outs of this contentious debate and then offer his own thoughts, recognizing that no matter which side he ends up supporting, he’ll tick off about 50% of his readers.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Letter to the editor: My research shows ZEPRT will require raising taxes over 13%
In a letter to the editor, an Aptos resident shares his analysis of the tax impact of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s plan to build passenger rail.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Measure D voters did not greenlight a $4.3 billion train – let’s use data, not dreams on rail choice
Matt Farrell’s recent Lookout op-ed is misleading and fiscally unrealistic, argues Will Mayall. He believes Farrell bases his argument on hope, not facts. He also criticizes Farrell’s continued insistence on the 2022 defeat of Measure D, insisting that voters did not OK a train system — only to keep existing code unchanged.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Letter to the editor: Measure D did not account for rail cost
In a letter to the editor, an Aptos resident criticizes the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Letter to the editor: 2022 Measure D vote is irrelevant now
In a letter to the editor, a Live Oak resident criticizes the writer of a previous op-ed for making his case for rail and trail based on a vote more than three years ago.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Trains, taxes and the Santa Cruz and Highway 1 traffic problem that still won’t be solved
The zero-emission passenger rail and trail project might cost billions without easing Santa Cruz County congestion, writes Kevin Maguire. Here, he takes a look at the logic and limitations of the rail trail and passenger rail, insisting the $4-$5 billion cost is too much for too little.