The Santa
Cruz City Council will make top level political
decisions in any approval of PRT in Santa Cruz. The
largest part of any such decision is to contract for
the use of rights-of-way, mostly on City streets and
over curbs and sidewalks. Such rights-of-way are absolutely
necessary for any PRT system here. As a result, the
City brings a major asset to the table in the consideration
of a PRT system.
UCSC brings the same interest to the table although possibly
to a lesser degree because of the relatively shorter
distances that PRT would have to travel over University
property.
Santa Cruz has a long
standing committment to its transit system operated
by the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District
(Metro). It needs to be made clear that the
existing transit system must ge strengthened in order
to function symbiotically with PRT. PRT will bring new
levels of ridership to Metro and, without Metro, PRT
cannot achieve its needed ridership. This will mean
new revenues comming to Metro from PRT as well as the
possibility of new investment capital. If Metro and
the PRT system are under the same management, this will
mean more and better opportunities for transit employment.
The Metro Board of Directors as well as its administration
will play a key role in securing an effective PRT system
If any State or Federal
funding are forthcomming for a Santa Cruz PRT system,
the Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission
(RTC) will likely play a key role. PRT will need to cross
the former Union Pacific Railroad tracks, possibly at multiple locations. Ownership of this railroad right of way has been purchased by the RTC. Efforts asre underway to begin rail line passenger service. PRT would form a very effective link to any such passenger service. All this means that the RTC must play a prominent part in the development of any PRT system in Santa Cruz County.
A Santa Cruz PRT system
linking to UCSC will need to cross highway one. As a
result, Caltrans will be a part of
the planning and approval process.
To construct a PRT system
for public use, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
would be needed.
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