Fighting Traffic Congestion

By Helene Schneider

I am a strong proponent of creating policies that will reduce traffic congestion throughout the region and within the city. The increase in commuter traffic results in more congested streets. The City must improve upon its current work that gives people multi-modal choices in how they get from Point A to Point B. Traveling alone in a car should be a choice, not a necessity.

Funding enhanced transit: I strongly supported efforts to secure funding from the City of Santa Barbara, the County of Santa Barbara and the City of Goleta to increase headways on five MTD bus lines, which began in March 2007. Ridership on at least two of these lines has already increased by 8% over last year. I am also the Council liaison to MTD.

Commuter Rail: As a member of the Council sub-committee on Commuter Rail, I've played a leadership role in meeting with regional leaders and stakeholders on bringing Commuter Rail to the south coast. The Sub-committee drafted On-TRAC + a Commuter Rail Action Plan, which was just adopted by the full Council. In February 2005, Councilmember Horton and I co-sponsored the first City of Santa Barbara Forum on Commuter Rail, with keynote speaker Michael Dukakis, which was attended by over 150 regional leaders and commuter rail advocates.

Bike Lanes & Safe Routes to School: I strongly support connecting the missing sidewalk and bike-lane links throughout the City and voted for the community-led petition to add a bike lane on Chapala Street from Mission to Constance Ave. Funding for capital improvements and community awareness in the Safe Routes to School program is also a high priority in my budget decision-making.