Mission of the
Public Interest Transportation Forum
We said before the November 5, 1996 election, that we would periodically comment on
Puget Sound public transit activities and issues after the election. This web site, the
Puget Sound Public Interest Transportation Forum Volume II, is the fulfillment and
expansion of that promise.
Our mission is to provide Puget Sound citizens, their elected leaders and the news
media with information about ongoing actions and needs regarding the provision of
cost-effective, environment enhancing, sustainable mobility improvements for the residents
of and visitors to the Everett-Bellevue-Seattle-Tacoma urban region.
We have been examining the urban transportation problems of the central Puget Sound
region for the past two decades. We believe there are many substantial improvements in our
regional transportation systems and services that must be made, some of which are
encompassed in the RTA Phase I (10 years originally, now 13 years) Transit Plan adopted by
the voters. Other improvements we favor would be possible only if the RTA Plan is amended.
Still other improvements we favor fall well outside of the rather limited scope of the
RTA's authority and its adopted rail/bus transit plan.
This web site is designed to give Puget Sound citizens the opportunity to participate
in a civic dialog on public transportation and mobility actions, issues, and
opportunities. It is intended to be an active and current source of information that will,
we hope, provide many new opportunities for citizen involvement and news media coverage in
the RTA Plan era that began with voter approval on November 5, 1996. We will update this
site in response to new information that we receive.
We do not intend to duplicate the coverage of the official Sound Transit, taxpayer-funded web site, but
instead will provide independent coverage of related topics and issues that the RTA does
not cover. Individually and collectively, we have opinions about the efficacy of the RTA
plan, and we will express those opinions. For example, we have a bias toward the
cost-effective use of public funds, that is, spending tax dollars in ways that will
provide everyone substantially improved mobility. We encourage and will include the
reasoned opinions of contributors, as we have done in Volume I.
We will try to foster a higher level of citizen awareness of public transportation and
mobility issues than was achieved in the RTA campaign. The implementation of the largest
public works project in the region's history by a new and untested agency deserves the
most thoughtful and comprehensive oversight and ongoing evaluation possible.
We view this effort as a process of discovery as well as discourse, and our views may
change as we hear from others. We hope to hear from you.
This is an experiment with a powerful new communication technology and one whose
outcome cannot be predicted with any certainty. We hope that our site will be a lively and
useful source of ideas, opinions, arguments, and facts concerning this very important
public issue.
Last modified: December 11, 2004