We asked this year's candidates for Houston City Council what they
think about several transportation policy issues that affect neighborhoods.
Most questions included background information. Our questions and
the candidates' responses are presented in six sections:
One in five adult Texans cannot or does not drive. According to the
2004 Houston Area Survey, 57.2% of respondents said it is "very important"
to the future success of Houston to develop a much-improved mass transit
system.
Nationally, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is requiring that
new rail and bus rapid transit (BRT) projects demonstrate how station
development will support ridership. Nearly half of METRO's proposed BRT
lines will go through neighborhoods that have specifically opposed
transit-oriented development to achieve supporting density.
Nearly 18% of METRO's fiscal 2006 total budget, or $104.6 million,
is allocated to the General Mobility fund. This money is typically
shifted to local jurisdictions, including City of Houston, to fund
road improvements across the region.
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| Q3a: Support more transit? |
Q3b: What would you do to increase transit? |
Q3c: Support expanding light rail? |
| Mayor |
| Anthony Dutrow |
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| Jack Terence |
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| Bill White (I) |
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| At large #1 |
Peter Brown |
Yes. For many years I have championed expanded mass transit (LRT and commuter rail) in Houston, and will continue to do so. |
I will use my extensive experience in transportation/urban planning to help further an effective, comprehensive transportation plan, that includes expanded mass transit access and transit-oriented development. I will build consensus for new sources of transit funding. |
Yes. Expanded light rail must be an important piece of Houston's overall transportation system. Light rail, along with other modes of rapid transit, can better connect residents with where they work, study and play, and deliver travelers to and from our airports. Houston's success as a city depends on expanded LRT, particularly inside the Beltway. Direct airport links are essential. |
Michael Griffin |
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Rogelio Morales |
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| At large #2 |
Hipolito Acosta |
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Jay Aiyer |
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John Elford |
Yes |
I will become very involved in making Metro more accountable to the public, more cost efficient and more directed towards buying products and services locally. |
Yes but only using an elevated system. |
Sue Lovell |
Yes, absolutely. In fact, as part of jobs training program I helped design and implement for The Mills Corporation, I helped arrange for a bus line so working parents in Northeast Houston could get to work and provide for their families. |
I will work for greater community input in transportation planning, and to encourage infill development that connects neighborhoods - and affordable housing - to employment centers. |
Yes. I believe light rail is one of several important parts of a comprehensive, multi-modal transportation system. |
James B. Neal |
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| At large #3 |
Shelley Sekula-Gibbs (I) |
Yes, where appropriate and financially sustainable. |
I have concerns about the METRO plan that delays implementation of light rail transit into the north side and replaces it with high-speed buses. I favor commuter rail as outlined by Commissioner Radack and think Houston should work hard to obtain federal funds to implement these projects. |
I support expanding Houston's light rail system into the North Side, Third Ward and the East End. METRO should fulfill its commitment to the people of Houston as outlined in the last METRO election. METRO should stick to its original plan or, if modified, use existing right of ways along freeways and tollways. |
James Partsch-Galvan |
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| At large #4 |
| Ronald Green (I) |
Yes. As roadways reach capacity constraints, it is imperative that we look to alternative transportation modes to satisfy the increased traffic demand in our region. |
I would support the Metro Solutions referendum to increase the expansion of light and commuter rail in our City, as well as the implementation of BRT and expanded bus service. |
Yes. Moving towards a balanced multi-modal transportation system is the only way to address our growing transportation needs for the future. |
| At large #5 |
| Michael Berry (I) |
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| Michael Stoma |
Yes. |
Work for an aligned, executable transportation plan that combines all City, County, and Private sector efforts into one plan that has strategic direction leading to the results discussed in Q3c for the City and County. |
Yes. Expansion should be along the model set in Chicago where rail systems "loops" the inner city and provides connections to light or heavy rail to the suburbs. |
| District A |
| Toni Lawrence (I) |
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| Dennis Carter |
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| District B |
| Tommie Ruth Allen |
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| Angle Bush |
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| Felicia Galloway-Hall |
Yes. |
Though extremely costly, I believe if we are to be serious about the remaining segments of Light Rail, we must endeavor to build Grade Separated Rail. This delivery method would eliminate the accidents; provide dual use of the rail right of way - motorist at grade, rail above. With grade Separated Rail, an extended rain and subsequent street ponding would not bring the system to a halt as it does now in certain low lying areas along the existing route. |
Yes (see previous) |
| Robin German-Curtis |
Yes, it is imperative that Houston significantly improve its mass transit system. |
I would support the creation of policies/ordinances that increase transit access in a more meaningful way throughout Houston especially underserved communities. |
Yes. However, I feel more planning needs to be done to connect underserved communities throughout the City. |
| Anna Gray |
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| Willie J. Hunter |
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| Charles Ingram |
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| Jarvis Johnson |
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| District C |
| Anne Clutterbuck |
Yes. |
I will support and encourage all aspect of transit, including increased bus routes, Bus Rapid Transit, bike lanes, bike racks on metro buses, improved roads and infrastructure, and rail to move commuters. |
Yes. I support extending light rail to points west and north to bring in more commuters from Sugarland, Katy, the Woodlands, Kingwood, etc. thereby removing more cars from our roads. |
| Brian Cweren |
I would support mass transit provided studies indicate it would be utilized and economically feasible. |
I would encourage studies to confirm it would be used and economically feasible. I would lobby hard for Houston to get its fair share of state and federal dollars. |
Yes. If it is economically feasible, utilized by the public and would serve a proven and existing or future need. The expansion should be supported by the affected areas and be constructed in a safe manner. |
| George Hittner |
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| Ray Jones |
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| Mark Lee |
Yes |
I will work closely with Metro, Harris County and the Houston Galveston Area Council. |
Yes, however, such expansion should be balanced with other transportation alternatives. |
| Herman Litt |
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| Judith Siverson |
I support a "much-improved" transit system. I would like to see mass transit made more user-friendly. |
If elected, I would form a District C Metro Advisory Council to make suggestions as to ways that service and ridership could be increased in District C. I would also work with large businesses located in District C to encourage employees to use mass transit. I understand that buses do not have bike racks and that these are needed to increase ridership. I would work to see that buses are outfitted properly to accommodate bikes. |
I like the concept of light rail but have concerns about current plans that locate routes through the middle of existing neighborhoods. The crashes on the Main Street line concern me. The public meetings held to discuss light rail that are orchestrated from beginning to end concern me. If we are going to add light rail lines, we need a workable plan that meets the needs of riders without destroying neighborhoods or creating unsafe thoroughfares. |
| District D |
| Ada Edwards (I) |
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| District E |
| Addie Wiseman (I) |
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| District F |
| Khalid Khan |
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| M.J. Khan (I) |
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| John Shike |
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| District G |
| Pam Holm (I) |
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| District H |
| Adrian Garcia (I) |
Yes, I agree that this is a critical issue for the progress of Houston. The need for an effective transit system is important to Houston's workforce. |
I will continue my efforts to make sure that North Rail Line is completed on schedule and that it is supported by a bus transit system that makes sense and services the public well. |
Yes, I supported it as a citizen and continue to fight for funding to ensure that my district's light rail line is in place and eventually connects to IAH. |
| Larry Williams |
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| District I |
| Carol Alvarado (I) |
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| John Parras |
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| Q3d: Support more bus service? |
Q3e: Should City encourage transit-oriented dev? |
Q3f: Support ending General Mobility subsidy? |
| Mayor |
| Anthony Dutrow |
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| Jack Terence |
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| Bill White (I) |
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| At large #1 |
Peter Brown |
Our entire bus system needs rethinking. Service is poor, and buses are underused except at rush hour. Smaller hybrid vehicles, vans and jitneys should be considered. |
Yes, this is critical to any plan's success. With an effective grassroots planning process, citizen opposition will change. |
I support changing it. The fund is scheduled to be reduced in future years. METRO should fund specific projects which improve regional mobility - rather than the lack of accountability in the current approach. |
Michael Griffin |
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Rogelio Morales |
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| At large #2 |
Hipolito Acosta |
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Jay Aiyer |
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John Elford |
Yes |
No. I do not believe that Metro is qualified or authorized to compete with the private sector in real estate development. |
I support ending Metro's subsidy. |
Sue Lovell |
Yes - but the decision making process needs to be open, transparent and fair. |
Absolutely. |
Yes. I believe METRO should contribute something for the wear and tear of its busses on our roads, and for the use of bus only lanes and similar uses. But the bulk of METRO funds should be reserved for transit. |
James B. Neal |
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| At large #3 |
Shelley Sekula-Gibbs (I) |
I support improving and expanding bus service if ridership supports it. |
Communities must be heard regarding any development of transit in their neighborhoods. Transit that is unwelcome is less likely to be successful. |
The citizens of Houston are very dependent on free-flowing freeways and road systems. These drivers pay taxes and deserve to have some support of highway infrastructure. A fair balance must be struck. |
James Partsch-Galvan |
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| At large #4 |
| Ronald Green (I) |
Yes. In areas such as the East End and Near Northside, it is imperative to implement BRT to facilitate future light rail expansion. |
Yes. This type of development will encourage citizens to utilize mass transit and lower the burden on already congested freeways. |
I would support decreasing METRO's subsidy of General Mobility. Additional Federal Transportation money could be utilized to offset decreased METRO subsidies. |
| At large #5 |
| Michael Berry (I) |
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| Michael Stoma |
Yes. |
Yes. |
I would support ending Metro's subsidy of General Mobility. |
| District A |
| Toni Lawrence (I) |
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| Dennis Carter |
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| District B |
| Tommie Ruth Allen |
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| Angle Bush |
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| Felicia Galloway-Hall |
Yes. I would also like to see the existing 100% diesel fuel internal combustion systems eventually migrated to electric hybrid systems and maybe even hydrogen or cheaper, cleaner alternative fuel systems. |
I am one who believes that the people are the government. Therefore if a particular neighborhood does not want something and they petition their government with those desires, government should listen and act accordingly. |
I am inclined to believe that street construction fits within the broadly interpreted definition of the term "General Mobility". I believe transit and street construction are almost symbiotic in their relationship to one another. |
| Robin German-Curtis |
Yes. This should be a parallel strategy. |
Yes, however the City should work towards a compromise with those communities in opposition of transit-oriented development. |
I support a modification to the plan that would allow for an increase in funds to substantially improve transit based on the needs of local neighborhoods. |
| Anna Gray |
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| Willie J. Hunter |
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| Charles Ingram |
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| Jarvis Johnson |
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| District C |
| Anne Clutterbuck |
Yes. |
No. I believe development is best left to the private sector where free-market principles influence development. |
No. |
| Brian Cweren |
Yes. If it is economically viable and ridership supports that. |
Yes, but only if all neighborhoods' concerns and input are utilized and they are thoroughly involved and protected. |
Not at the present time. There are major roads that STILL need to be repaired and/or replaced in District C. |
| George Hittner |
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| Ray Jones |
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| Mark Lee |
Yes |
Metro needs to do a better job of partnering with affected proposed rail and BRT corridors and achieve a win-win solution with the neighborhoods. However, failing that, Metro needs to show greater flexibility in identifying alternative rail and BRT corridors. |
No, without Metro's General Mobility funds, the City would have difficulty balancing its budget. |
| Herman Litt |
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| Judith Siverson |
I support improving bus service. Metro should make sure they are providing the best possible service with the dollars they have available. |
I believe that strong neighborhoods are essential to maintaining strong cities. I do not believe that stations should be developed without regard to nearby neighborhoods. Neighborhoods need to be informed early on in the process about possibilities for development and elected officials need to make sure that their concerns are addressed. |
These budgets need to be scrutinized with a fine tooth comb to see what changes can be made. Voters should choose a candidate that is open to new ideas and willing to consider suggestions from advocacy groups such as CTC. I would need to know what the effects of proposed cuts would be before supporting a decrease. |
| District D |
| Ada Edwards (I) |
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| District E |
| Addie Wiseman (I) |
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| District F |
| Khalid Khan |
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| M.J. Khan (I) |
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| John Shike |
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| District G |
| Pam Holm (I) |
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| District H |
| Adrian Garcia (I) |
Yes, as I mentioned previously, an effective bus transit system is important for Houston but especially important for my district. |
This is been part of the discussions I have had with METRO, I want to make sure that the stations enhance my neighborhoods and should be done in such a way that encourages economic development in the community. |
I want to further review this item, because I would rather have the funding come back to the Houston area in equal amounts that we contribute into the fund, but to be used to improve transit and not just conduct road improvements. |
| Larry Williams |
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| District I |
| Carol Alvarado (I) |
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| John Parras |
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Last updated Fri Nov 4, 2005.
