Reviving the idea of a monorail line from West Seattle to Ballard may be well-intentioned, but Seattle Citizen Petition 1 undermines current transportation planning, establishes yet another conflicting transit agency, and wastes taxpayer money, imposing a new car tab without constructing a monorail line.
An Unaffordable, Failed Idea
In 2005, voters discovered that even a hefty car tab tax of $140 per $10,000 of vehicle value was insufficient to fund a Ballard to West Seattle line. Seattle pulled the plug on the monorail, but not before $124 million was wasted. This proposal has the same cost problem. We can’t afford another wasteful boondoggle.
A Better Approach
We need integrated transit, but this measure initiates planning for an incompatible monorail line unconnected to the light rail we’re already building. Any new rail transit we add should be part of that light rail system.
Yet Another Transit Agency?
This creates another stand-alone transportation agency, creating further transportation confusion and conflict. Sound Transit is already developing options for light rail from Ballard to West Seattle. That is the right approach.
We already tried building a monorail line – it was an unaffordable flop.
Let’s not repeat past mistakes. Vote no on Citizen Petition 1!
