True Conservatives Should Back Metro Funding

Now that Congress has returned to business in Washington after an exhaustive election cycle, a critical issue facing our region awaits immediate action from the Senate -- dedicated federal funding for the Metro transit system.

It is an issue of pressing concern to citizens of all political stripes, including conservatives such as myself.

As independent analysis makes clear, the benefits of investing in high-quality public transit are irrefutable:

· First and foremost, rail transit benefits everyone -- including non-riders -- by reducing traffic congestion. According to an analysis conducted by the Federal Transit Administration, non-riders benefit more than twice as much, in terms of time saved from traffic congestion, as the people who are utilizing transit.

As we all know, commuters in the Washington area face some of the longest, most congested commutes in the nation. So even if you never set foot on a Metro train, you reap the benefit of time saved on your daily commute.

· Second, transit significantly aids in resource conservation. True conservatives are conservationists who are committed to passing on clean water, breathable air and other natural resources to future generations.

As a 2002 study by the American Public Transportation Association states, "increased use of transit offers the most effective strategy available for reducing energy consumption and improving the environment without imposing new taxes." That fact should be music to any conservative's ear.

Transit also greatly aids our communities by raising property values. In every major metropolitan region with a rail transit system, including Washington, transit has helped to increase residential property values. According to the Urban Land Institute, Metro is responsible for at least $25 billion in economic development. All of that value -- and you don't even have to use the transit system to reap the financial benefits.

· Finally, the special relationship between Metro and the federal government requires that the government come to the table as a full partner to help Metro meet growing demand. Dedicated federal funding, to be matched by an equal investment from local and state governments, is critical to ensuring that the Washington Metro can meet the surging demand for a reliable, efficient transit system.

Quite simply, dedicating federal and local funds for transit is both smart and responsible public policy.

True conservatives should be lining up to support this measure, and the public should be ready to hold leaders in Congress accountable if they fail to meet the challenge before them.

-- Paul M. Weyrich

Fairfax

The writer is chief executive officer of the Free Congress Foundation, a conservative think tank.