Not content with their current level of power, the apparatchiks of the various transit authorities want to solidify their power over the entire area by creating a regional transit authority.

On Friday, dozens of area leaders are expected to endorse creating a regional rail authority that would fill the gaps in cities that don’t already have bus and train service. If it works, dozens of cities would be connected by trains in the next decade or two—from Fort Worth to Cleburne, Arlington to Grapevine.

Of course, there are various factions that are fighting each other over power, among other things:

Denton County was eliminated from the regional rail authority after officials from the 2-year-old Denton County Transportation Authority insisted that they already have a long-term plan in place. The agency has jurisdiction over all of the county even though only three cities are paying a half-cent sales tax for transportation services.

Denton County officials say it would be unfair to take away their countywide authority, which was approved by voters in 2002.

Of course, none of these “good works” can be done without money, right?

Officials in the other counties—Tarrant, Johnson, Dallas, Ellis and Collin—want to be able to adopt a half-cent sales tax increase in areas currently not served by a transportation authority. Even if the Legislature agreed, voter approval would be required in each county.

But finally, one of them slips and reveals their true agenda:

“It’s unfair, but we’ve got to look at it regionally,” Miller said. “We need to put aside our personal feelings. The whole point is improving our air quality and getting people off the road.”

I think this speaks volumes to the arrogance of these people.  They seem genetically incapable of understanding that getting people off the road is not ever going to work.  And as long as they pursue that goal, they’re going to be barking up the wrong tree.  It flies against everything Texans stand for and are used to.  Personal freedom is not going to be tossed aside easily in favor of some centrally controlled and managed “people mover” crap.  Besides, if public transportation was such a damn good idea, we’d see private companies trying to provide it.  Instead, it’s a boondoggle that has to be tax supported to stay afloat. 

The biggest contributors to pollution are a) old, ill-maintained vehicles, and b) gridlock.  It seems like we’re constantly rebuilding roads around here, but the planning didn’t take into account the growth patterns and the new roads are full as soon as they open.  What’s worse is that the planners seem to know this, but won’t actually do anything about it.  Instead of throwing away money at these public transportation schemes, we should be doing everything possible to keep traffic moving.

And it’s not me just making this crap up.  The volume of vehicles on North Texas roads is a graphic indicator that the market has spoken.  Texans want their independence and that means cars and trucks.  Yes, it takes time to build new roads, but it takes just as long to build rail lines.

Rail makes sense in some highly congested areas with extremely high population densities.  If I had to go into downtown Dallas on a daily basis, I might consider it.  But it’s just not the solution that these poor deluded fools think it is.

If I thought it would do any good (and I didn’t have to work), I’d go give them a piece of my mind.  Their meeting is open to the public:

Transit meeting

What: Regional Transit Initiative. Metroplex leaders are expected to approve a set of principles to present to the state Legislature in 2005, including a request for a sales tax increase to expand commuter rail service.

When: 2 to 4 p.m. Friday

Where: Omni Mandalay hotel, 221 E. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving

Admission: Free and open to the public