The California Public Interest Research Group says the state’s public transits systems are in trouble. KPBS reporter Katie Orr has details on a new study from CALPIRG that explores the issue.
The report says cars and trucks are the leading source of global warming pollution in California. And it recommends the state invest more heavily in public transit projects to help ease that pollution and cut down on traffic congestion. Erin Steva is with CALPRIG. She says, in San Diego, there’s one project that stands out.
“There’s a trolley extension that’s being proposed that would go along the I-5 up to UC San Diego. That stretch of the freeway will see a doubling in its congestion by 2030. And I think it’s fair to say people traveling that route would want that alternative,” she says.
The San Diego Association of Governments is moving forward with the Trolley Extension project. Steva says transit systems around the state have seen record levels of ridership. But the state government recently eliminated funding for the State Transit Assistance fund.
Katie Orr, KPBS News
