Letter to Your Representative Addressing Public Transport Issues

123 Main Street

Anywhere, USA 12345DATE

Honorable (Representative)

123 Main Street

Elsewhere, USA 1234

Dear Representative XXX,

The intent of my letter concerns XXX's light rail projects and projected proceedings. I have reviewed XXX's "Phase 2 Implementation Plan Program Scope to 2012," which discusses the projected plans for the expansion of the current XXX Street light rail line. As you are aware, this light rail line currently originates at XXX and continues along XXX Street through downtown XXX. I would direct your attention to specifically to the section referred to as "Intermodal Facilities, Transit Centers and Park & Rides." This section reflects transit centers are currently or are scheduled to be housed at the following locations: a northern intermodal facility, five transit centers and four park and rides. My concern centers around the option provided for the XXX Freeway corridor, to be serviced only by Park and Ride locations. It appears that any plans for light rail expansion down the Interstate XX corridor, north and south, are being superseded by the XXX Corridor planned route.

Prior to relocating to XXX, I lived for fourteen years in XXX. The utilization of the light rail system, while initially slow to develop, has become quite expansive, traveling extensively north and south along its main corridor, referred to as the Interstate XX corridor, which travels from the north end to the south end of the state. I attended a college in downtown XXX which was located in the midst of the then-new project now known as the light rail. I am very cognizant of the start-up growing pains often associated with this type of project. I have genuine concerns with this projected route which will be routed through the economically thriving, though admittedly highly trafficked, XXX area.

When confronted at a XX, public gathering jointly organized by XXX Councilwoman XXX and the XXX with concerns of citizens directly affected in that area, XXXX CEO XXX appeared rather matter of fact about the proposed disruption into these citizens' and business' daily living. At this meeting, these citizens discussed the very real dangers and problems inherent with the projected XXX line. Businesses will likely be disrupted, if not relocated, if directly in the path of the line. Residents will likely be diverted when attempting to depart their neighborhoods. These are very real concerns.

While the City of XXX clearly has the right, under the auspices of eminent domain, to take this land as it sees fit, the negative repercussions appear to far outweigh the positive benefits. Why is there such minimal focus on the Interstate XX corridor route? Having personally experienced the time- and fuel-consuming commute between XXX and downtown XXX my initial twelve months here in XXX, I would be strongly in favor of the expansion of the light rail line along the Interstate XX corridor. I do not believe that an expansion of the light rail line through the XXX will decrease traffic. We have all experienced the repercussions of the expansion project of Interstate XX, while not light rail related, which has certainly caused its share of traffic nightmares to businesses, residents and commuters alike. Can you imagine the disruption surely to be caused by the construction of a light rail line through the XXX? Your District office is located close to this area. Your constituents will be directly affected when trying to reach your office, as will you when you hold office hours. Even post-construction, there will surely be delays. Travel down XXX Street from the XXX and you will witness the delays caused, as well as potentially view "near misses" of motor vehicles and pedestrians alike attempting to circumvent the stop light warnings of an approaching light rail train.

In XXX, the most successful light rail transit lines traveled along commercial train track routes. In these locations, there was significantly less traffic from motor vehicles and pedestrians alike, necessitating fewer stops, and, then, only for designated passenger loading and unloading stations. This greatly decreased instances of horrific accidents caused by failures to yield, by light rail train drivers, motor vehicle drivers and pedestrians alike. I have personally viewed the potential hazards posed when a blind person attempts to cross where a light rail train's route crosses through an intersection. I have physically witnessed the aftermath of light rail trains tragically colliding with motor vehicles, transit buses or pedestrians.

I am strongly in favor of the expansion of the light rail system along the Interstate XX corridor, suggesting a span between XXX and XXX. Wouldn't the interruption of business and daily lives be much more minimal along Interstate XX than through the XXX? Many XXX residents must commute from outside of the Metropolitan area into the downtown area, at a tremendous financial and time cost to them. Return a portion of their gas money to their budgets. Allow them to spend more time with their families. I strongly urge you to promote the Interstate XX light rail expansion project.

Very truly yours,

YOUR NAME