Council candidates talk transportation

ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

Traffic congestion has undoubtedly become one of the key issues in Santa Barbara during recent years, as more and more people are opting to commute from outlying cities such as Ventura and Lompoc.
There is no question among the candidates running for Santa Barbara City Council this November that city leaders need to address the issue of transportation. Where they differ is in how they propose to solve, or at least mitigate, the snarl of traffic-related issues if elected.
Here is how four of the eight candidates responded, in alphabetical order, to the overaching question of how they would fix Santa Barbara’s transportation woes. See tomorrow’s Daily Sound for the responses of the other four candidates.

Incumbent Brian Barnwell:
Transportation issues can be divided into two topics, Barnwell said, regional transportation and local transportation. Solving traffic issues that transcend local jurisdiction, involving Ventura County and North Santa Barbara County, are difficult, he said, and require state and regional funding.
"If we want to be successful, we have to work on our [local] transportation," Barnwell said.
He highlighted the city's new work schedule, saying the flex hours take 750 cars off Highway 101 twice a month because workers don't need to come in every other Friday.
"We can get rid of both 101 traffic and get rid of some in-town traffic," he said.
Having a bus or streetcar connection from Stearns Wharf, along State Street and out to the city limits is something he also wants to see, bringing up the concept of a dedicated transit-oriented lane along upper State Street during yesterday's Council meeting as city leaders discussed design guidelines for that area.
"Transportation, in my view, is a hyphenated word along with housing," Barnwell said. "When we talk about one, we have to talk about the other."
Downtown residential units are not getting enough parking spaces, he said, explaining that most people who live downtown are upper-income families with two cars. Putting in more underground parking, and changing building requirements to enforce that need, is a way to solve that issue, he said. Getting employers to provide employee housing is another way forward, he said, citing the St. Francis and Cottage Hospital project as a good example.
"Lastly, the question I keep getting asked all the time is do I support commuter rail," Barnwell said. "Well, sure, it's a great idea."
The problem is feasibility, he said. Applying that commuter rail concept to the highway, by dedicating a lane to high-occupancy vehicles with at least four people in them, will provoke significant changes in transportation patterns, Barnwell said.
"Commuter rail requires us to deal with both Union Pacific and Amtrak, two traditionally snail-pace organizations," he said. "We can have bus service up and running quickly. ... The most successful transportation system we have to get people back and forth from Lompoc and Ventura is the Clean Air Express."

Challenger Dale Francisco:
Traffic planners in Santa Barbara are stuck in the 1970s, clinging to the idea that automobiles are inherently bad, Francisco said.
"I would like to see some realism," he said. "...There is no question that there are downsides to automobiles. But what is the alternative?"
With a large elderly demographic, buses and bikes are not viable options for a large portion of the population, Francisco said. With schedules and routes that are too limited, buses are largely unavailable for the remaining residents, he added.
"I know people who would love to take the bus to work if they could," he said. "But they'd be on the bus for two hours a day."
He characterized transportation planners as having their heads in the clouds as the real problems grow worse. Saying that someone needs to be "hard-nosed," Francisco criticized city officials for attempting to punish people by reducing parking, closing or narrowing lanes and placing obstacles in the street.
"That just isn't going to work," he said. "They think the congestion will discourage people from using their cars."
Francisco also said widening Highway 101 needs to take place soon. While he admitted there is no way to build out of congestion problems, widening the highway will improve the situation. As far as a commuter rail concept, he called it a potential solution, but one that needs further analysis.
"We have to be careful that we don't get into a situation like San Jose got into," he said, calling that city's light rail system hardly used. "...We really cannot afford to make that mistake."
In agreement with many of the candidates, Francisco said regional buses are the most practical alternative transportation solution, but stressed making sure there are enough buses that serve the most-needed routes.

Challenger Michelle Giddens:
Alternative transportation is a must for Giddens, who said Santa Barbara will always create a commuter lifestyle.
"We need to explore the options, absolutely," she said. "We're always going to be a city that's going to be bringing people in to work."
Giddens pointed to a new car sharing program at UC Santa Barbara that rents cars out by the hour as a possible solution to entice more people to take the train or other forms of alternative transportation. Giving them the freedom of a car once they are in town, but keeping them from using one on Highway 101 will reducing commuter traffic.
As far as the commuter rail concept, she said working with Ventura officials and exploring that opportunity is a good idea. She also supports the widening of the highway, saying, "We need to do whatever we can to facilitate getting that done."
During the widening project set to take place between Milpas Street and Hot Springs Road next year, Giddens said bus and shuttle service can help to reduce congestion.
"If it was something that could pay for itself and be profitable, the city could be involved," she said. "There's potential for it to be privately done."
More parking downtown is necessary, she said, explaining that one parking space for certain residential units is not sufficient and adding that she can't think of a single family that has just one car. She also took issue with those residential units being built at all.
"I disagree with the current policy to create a lot of density along our State Street corridor," Giddens said.

Challenger Robert Hansen:
Echoing an early campaign point, Hansen said free bicycles should be made available to all Santa Barbara residents. Through grants or donations, creating free bike stations will get people out of cars.
"I think three-wheeler bicycles would be better for older people," Hansen said, giving them a stronger feeling of security.
Bicycles aren't the only form of transportation the challenger would like to see offered free of charge. He suggested a 2-cent tax on all gasoline purchased in the city limits to provide free bus service, not only throughout the city, but from Lompoc and Ventura as well. Those funds could also provide an on-call service for people who can't easily access a bus route, he said.
"Commuter rail is down the road," he said. "If they want to build it, they can. I'm not all that jazzed about it."
Creating a diamond lane for vehicles with three or more people and creating those bus lines is an immediate solution to commuting traffic, Hansen said.
In addition to free bikes and buses, Hansen also suggested a fleet of solar or electric cars that people could rent for a day at a time. To serve more people, he also called for further expansion of the MTD bus service, possibly adding vans that run on natural gas or biodiesel for shorter or less-traveled routes.
"It's a tourist town, so those things would also benefit the tourists and the community," he said. "...This is a fun town. I think we need to relax and enjoy it."