pd SMART survey

It probably comes as no surprise that North Bay residents still have strong feelings about the SMART rail system.

But one finding in a survey of regular Press Democrat readers may raise a few eyebrows: Sixty-four percent said they somewhat or strongly support postponing service to northern Sonoma County because sales tax revenue is running below projections.

More than 260 people responded to the online survey, which also found support for using light-rail vehicles and a widespread sense that service should begin in 2014 as scheduled despite any economic setbacks.

About 100 people left written comments, many of them reflecting the spirited and sometimes caustic debate that preceded the SMART sales tax votes in 2006 and 2008.

“We must keep our eye on the goal of getting these trains going as efficiently as possible, but by our existing deadline,” said Donna Cherlin of Forestville.

“I am planning to use this option several days per week and have chafed waiting for it to be implemented,” said another, who didn’t leave a name. “If SMART had been implemented years ago, I wouldn’t be a person sitting in traffic on 101 ... Bring on the train.”

Others remain convinced that SMART will be too costly and that it will fail to draw riders or ease congestion on Highway 101.

“SMART is dumb, an expensive boondoggle that voters were suckered into,” said Kevin Kerwin of Santa Rosa. “A train to Larkspur, a ferry to the San Francisco ferry terminal and then good luck. Public funding of an expanded Golden Gate Transit bus service would have been much more cost effective.”

How divided are views of SMART?

Well, 48 percent of survey respondents said they expect to regularly or occasionally ride SMART. An almost identical number — 47 percent — said they would use it seldom or never.

One-third say SMART will meet its projection of 5,300 riders daily, one-third says it won’t and the other third don’t know.

But almost two-thirds believe it will ease congestion somewhat or considerably, and 63 percent oppose the idea of delaying service until the entire 70-mile line from Larkspur to Cloverdale can be completed.

SMART staff members floated the idea of postponing service to Cloverdale, Healdsburg and possibly Windsor last month after receiving a finance report that showed a $150 million shortfall, attributed largely to the recession.

SMART directors — and Cloverdale officials — objected strongly, but 64 percent of respondents to the online survey said they would support that approach. As one person put it in a written comment, “Whatever SMART decides, we will be riding.”

That still doesn’t sit well with Cloverdale residents. “To leave out Cloverdale would be grossly unfair,” one said. “We have had a station for over 10 years and have supported this project. What about federal stimulus money?”

Another person suggested the weak economy could benefit SMART. “When the economy is slow, contractors and labor are begging for work,” said Aiden J. Doyle of Forestville. “But when the economy picks up, this project could end up costing us twice as much.”

SMART directors also must decide what type of rail car to use. SMART staff recommended heavy-rail trains, which meet federal emission and crash-resistance standards and are allowed to run on the same tracks as freight trains.

Several board members would rather have light-rail vehicles, which are more fuel efficient and may ride smoother. But they would need waivers from federal rules to run on the same tracks as freight trains and because they are built to different crash standards.

In the survey, 45 percent favored light-rail cars and 27 percent preferred heavy rail. Thirteen percent suggested other approaches, ranging from running buses on the track to starting with heavy rail and switching to light rail.

“To reduce long-term maintenance costs, SMART needs to use commercially available rail cars,” said Stephen Gale of Santa Rosa. “Having a special light rail car created just for SMART will not be cost-effective over the long run.”

The value of a commuter rail system is in the long run, said Ed Davis of Glen Ellen. “SMART’S true benefit will probably not be realized for decades, but if we don't get it going soon, it will never be realized.”