YOUR TRANSPORTATION TAX DOLLARS AT WORK-- TO RE-ELECT PRESIDENT OBAMA

        The White House has decided it is more important to use your tax dollars to repay public service unions and other campaign contributors, rather than improve your commute. To mask his true intent, the President uses a variety of myths that big-government advocates have perpetuated for decades. Randall O’Toole describes the “ten myths” that afflict transportation planning:

1. Myth: Transportation subsidies are biased towards autos.  Reality: at least since 1975, transit subsidies have been tens to hundreds of times greater than highway subsidies, and a quarter of transit subsidies have been paid directly by motorists.

2.  Myth:  urban transit has been declining.  Reality: transit funding has steadily increasing for decades.

3.  Myth:  More cash for transit will increase usage.  Reality:  there has been no relationship between transit funding and transit ridership.

4.  Myth: Federal funding of urban freeways must be balanced by federal funding of urban mass transit.  Reality:  The federal share of the Interstate Highway System was completely paid for out of highway user fees; Washington collects no transit user fees.

5. Myth: congestion can be mitigated by diverting money away from highways and towards transit.  Reality:  Transit’s effect on congestion is insignificant in most American cities.

6. Myth: Transit should focus on 19^th century fixed-route transit lines radiating from downtown hubs.  Reality:  American cities have evolved.  New Types of transit are needed.

7.  Myth: Public monopolies are essential.  Reality:  Competition works better.

8. Myth:  old fashioned transit offered greater mobility.  Reality: automobiles have made Americans the most mobile people on earth.

9. Myth:  Cities should be rebuilt to serve transit.  Reality:  Transit should be built to serve cities, not vice-versa.

10.  Myth:  Public transit is morally superior to private cars.   Reality: This is based on elitist sentiments not shared by the majority.

     The American Dream Coalition has updated the list with several additional myths:

1. Myth:  one rail line can carry as many people as a twelve-lane freeway.  Reality:  With the exception of NYC subways, no transit line in the nation carries as many people as even one freeway lane.

2. Myth:  Rail transit promotes local investment and redevelopment.  Reality:  development along rail lines usually requires additional subsidies.

3. Myth:  The auto industry conspired to destroy transit systems.  Reality: Buses are so superior to rail transit that almost every transit company in America converted streetcars to buses as fast as the street cars wore out.

    Some observers make exceptions for New York City, due to the unique level of density—20 times the national average.