The Rail Trail is a great idea for bikes and walking but the train is a costly novelty.
When I first heard of the Rail Trail, I was, and still am excited. I think it’s excellent and probably well overdue, in large part because of our community’s affinity for bicycles, being healthy, and our overall love of the outdoors. The Rail Trail is open so far on the westside of Santa Cruz from Natural Bridges Drive to downtown Santa Cruz along the existing train tracks. A path was built wide enough to have multi-directional pedestrian and bicycle traffic along the train line.
The problem is the proposed train system that would connect the north end of the County at Natural Bridges and run along the existing rail line through the County to the south, ending in downtown Watsonville. The biggest question is who is going to ride it, and is there enough need to warrant a train? What can the train do that our bus system cannot?
Let’s not forget that Santa Cruz County has a functional and affordable bus system that is forward-thinking and serves us well. The METRO just received its first electric Proterra bus in February and is getting three more.
The bus lines can serve people in a far superior way to a single-line train system with its network of routes to help riders reach their specific destinations at a reasonable time and price.
With relatively affordable electric bicycles that so many people are using, there is no need for a train. Seeing as not everyone can ride a bike or walk, the METRO has the ADA (American Disabilities Act). This Paratransit service offers accessible door-to-door shared rides for people who cannot use the bus due to a physical, cognitive, or psychiatric disability. Paracruz also helps people get to their destinations that are not on the METRO’s fixed routes, which the train cannot do.
The train will not substantially benefit commuters who are going over the hill for work. The Santa Cruz homeless crisis is a huge problem that needs attention. We should spend our energy and money working on solutions to approach that over an expensive train system.
