As gas prices climb, OC legislative candidates weigh in on public transit

For Orange County drivers, it’s certainly not cheap to get around these days.

Gas prices hit a record high in June, fluctuated a bit, and soared again at the close of September. On the final day of September in Orange County, the average cost for regular gas was about $6.39 — higher than the state average of $6.29 and the national average of $3.80, according to American Automobile Association data.

Part of the reason California gas prices are higher is because of decisions made in Sacramento. The state’s gas taxes, currently about 68 cents a gallon, are the highest in the country.

And, beyond gasoline, state legislators take up issues that cover everything from regional transportation agencies, intercity rail, state highways and local roads, the Department of Transportation, and more.

So how do candidates who wish to represent Orange County in the statehouse view the role of public transit? Well, they take many routes.

“We need to improve Orange County’s public transportation infrastructure in order to get cars off the road, improve quality of life, and combat the climate crisis,” said Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, a Democrat running for District 73, covering Irvine and Costa Mesa.

“Public transportation is a key need,” said Rhonda Shader, a Republican vying for a Senate seat that stretches from part of Los Angeles County to Orange County, including Anaheim, La Habra, and Santa Ana. “Providing more creative public opportunities to travel throughout the county is important to relieving traffic on the freeways.”

“Traffic is getting worse, and we need innovative public transit options that fit communities and get cars off the road to ease commutes,” said Chris Duncan, contending for Assembly District 74, which includes Dana Point and San Clemente.

But Assemblyman Phillip Chen, running for re-election in a district covering Placentia and Yorba Linda, said his constituents live in “a bedroom commuter community.”

“I support policies to create local jobs so that folks do not have to drive 50+ miles each day (to) work and put food on their family’s table,” Chen said.

Leon Sit, the independent write-in candidate running against Chen in Assembly District 59, shared those sentiments: “My district is a broadly upscale commuter community that already has limited public transportation. I don’t think further expansions on the foothills are necessary, especially when public transportation is exponentially more cost-effective in denser communities, such as Los Angeles or the Bay Area.”

Republican Assemblyman Kelly Seyarto — vying for a Senate district that covers parts of Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties — supports more investments in roadways, he said, arguing an “over-reliance on public transportation systems is not as feasible as (it is in) the metropolitan areas.”

“We need to improve our highway and surface street systems to support our commuters, whose jobs and their locations are simply not served well with public transportation,” Seyarto added.

Ridership for both the Metrolink and OC Bus has gone up recently, though not yet to levels seen before the pandemic. Neither agency can fully link the jump in ridership to this month’s spike in gas prices — especially as the increases have coincided with the start of school and a loosening of COVID restrictions — but the increase could contribute, said Scott Johnson, director of communication for Metrolink.

“While we cannot directly attribute this increase in ridership to higher gas prices, we know that high gas prices are a contributing factor to people seeking out alternatives to their cars,” Johnson said.

Here’s a look at how candidates for the California Legislature summed up their thoughts on public transit.

Senate District 30

Business owner Mitch Clemmons: “Public transit has a role to play in all our communities. We must adopt routes and schedules that serve our neighborhoods, not routes that go nowhere.”

Incumbent Sen. Bob Archuleta did not respond to the questionnaire.

Senate District 32

Businessman Brian Nash: “Public transportation is a vital piece of our economic puzzle, as well as a significant tool in the fight over climate change. We are all better off with a well-funded, accessible transit system, and I will fight to build this infrastructure in a climate-friendly way.”

Assemblyman Kelly Seyarto: “We need to improve our highway and surface street systems to support our commuters whose jobs and their locations are simply not served well with public transportation.”

Senate District 34

Placentia Mayor Rhonda Shader: “Public transportation is a key need in Senate District 34. Providing more creative public opportunities to travel throughout the county is important to relieving traffic on the freeways. Cities, Counties and the State must work together on this important infrastructure. I would support more opportunities for biking, walking and group transportation.”

Incumbent Sen. Tom Umberg declined to answer the questionnaire.

Senate District 36

Huntington Beach City Councilwoman Kim Carr: “Too many are denied jobs because of unmanageable commutes. Opportunities exist to expand transportation in meaningful ways that would incentivize people to use it. I would love to see a light rail down Beach Boulevard. It would resonate with commuters and provide long-term access to jobs currently out of reach.”

Assemblywoman Janet Nguyen: “The greatest system of public transportation in California and in Orange County is our highways. Unfortunately, the state has neglected our highways for decades and we are seeing the result. Clean buses should be part of the solution to congestion, and not the only solution, to allow residents to be able to get to work, school, grocery stores, medical offices, etc.”

Senate District 38

Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear: “As the chair of our region’s transportation agency, I’m proud to have overseen the addition of carpool lanes, trolley lines, protected bike lanes, walking paths, free transit for youth, and even a new free shuttle service to the airport. The infrastructure projects were delivered on time and under budget. I believe in making public transportation a reliable, safe, and convenient option, while also maintaining a safe and litter-free network of freeways and roads.”

Business owner Matt Gunderson: “Public transportation should provide alternate options for people get from point A to point B in an efficient, inexpensive manner. Unlike my opponent, I do not see it as a way to force people out of their cars with ‘per mile’ road usage taxes or ruinously expensive gas taxes.”

Assembly District 68

Business owner Mike Tardif: “I would like to see a more efficient use of bus and Metro-link transportation. It seems to me that both are about 75% empty most of the time. Airlines are nearly full on every flight. Let’s do the same for public surface transportation.”

Anaheim Councilman Avelino Valencia: “My district lacks public transportation infrastructure when compared to other parts of the state. I’d love to see investments that give more transportation options to the residents of Anaheim, Orange, and Santa Ana.”

Assembly District 70

Garden Grove Mayor Pro Tem Diedre Thu-Ha Nguyen: “Many seniors, working families, students, and others in the community depend on public transportation to make their lives go. The pandemic showed how critical these services are, and I’m encouraged by OCTA’s present attempts to improve the quality of bus and rail service.”

Westminster Mayor Tri Ta did not respond to the question.

Assembly District 71

Temecula Mayor Matt Rahn: “My district relies more on commuting for commerce and employment. We should prioritize spending on fixing our roads and highways, bringing them up to standard. A few years ago, our section of the freeway was included in the top 10 most congested freeways in the nation. Big government made promises that were never kept. I created a coalition of cities and brought home over $100 million to help reduce congestion on our freeway.”

Businesswoman Kate Sanchez: “Public transportation is necessary for many of our workers and seniors. I believe in expanding private-public partnerships and exploring new innovative solutions like skyTran. These types of solutions are environmentally friendly and reduce traffic congestion.”

Assembly District 72

Newport Beach Mayor Diane Dixon: “Efficient public transportation is vital, but the decisions should be made on the local and county levels. I have served on regional planning boards and know that large government is inefficient, and regional public transportation planning benefits the largest member, like Los Angeles, rather than allow the county and local levels in my district to best assess our own needs.”

Nonprofit leader Judie Mancuso: “Public transportation is critical to every community but must be shaped and administered intelligentially to be most effective and efficient. Developing a dominant public transit culture by keeping and increasing free buses, ensuring people feel safe, and expanding modes of public transportation.”

Assembly District 73

Assemblyman Steven Choi: “Public transportation is a core responsibility of government. However, it should be managed efficiently and effectively. We must make sure that it works well for those who ride public transportation and provides a good value for the taxpayers and riders who pay for it.”

Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris: “We need to improve Orange County’s public transportation infrastructure in order to get cars off the road, improve quality of life, and combat the climate crisis. I’m glad to see investments in active transportation at the local level, but more needs to be done.”

Assembly District 74

Assemblywoman Laurie Davies: “As a former member of OCTA, I can tell you public transportation is very important to Orange County. To help improve our community, I would like to see our transit system return to pre-covid operation levels and hours while at the same time increasing law-enforcement patrols to ensure rider safety.”

San Clemente Mayor Pro Tem Chris Duncan: “Traffic is getting worse, and we need innovative public transit options that fit communities and get cars off the road to ease commutes. I will ensure Metrolink, Coaster, and Amtrak (are) faster, cleaner, and safer in Orange County and North County San Diego, and do not intrude on public open space or expand in sensitive coastal areas.”

Source: Orange County Register