Just today, John McCarron pens a Tribune Op-Ed arguing [...]]]> I am unashamed of my desire to see new high speed rail links brought to the Chicago region and elsewhere. But recently, two commentators have reminded us that as exciting as HSR projects would be, they may not really represent our most pressing transit needs.

Just today, John McCarron pens a Tribune Op-Ed arguing that putting stimulus dollars into what he refers to as “medium speed rail” like the El and Metra systems would benefit a lot of people a lot more quickly that many of the projects that congress is currently evaluating.

Writing a little more broadly, Ben Adler of The Nation points out that most of the public transit dollars in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act go to new projects, rather than providing much needed operating support to local agencies.

I think anyone who’s lived through the numerous “doomsday” scenarios of the past few years would have hard time arguing with these points. I’d speculate that we’re likely to see another stimulus bill in some shape or form in the next twelve months. If you’re inclined to do so, consider writing your representatives to let them know your priorities as a carless citizen.