SCOOT needs speed

SCOOT is a bit of an anomaly. In its brief existence the program has doubled and tripled ridership and merited numerous accolades and awards. On the other hand, it has also sparked strong debate over bookkeeping, school bus standards and if the city as a whole benefits by paying for a system utilized by less than the majority.

Which image of SCOOT wins out will be clear March 8 when voters will be asked if they want a five-year $59 annual parcel tax.

An innovative program

Unlike shuttle systems in other cities, SCOOT provides door-to-door service. A user calls a city number, requests a ride and gets one without a set schedule or bus stop

In 2002, the $1 million dollar pilot program was funded from a transportation sales tax, gas tax and money typically used for street repair. Ridership on the 20-person shuttles hit its peak in March with 19,387 trips — double that of the previous year. Primary users include school children and the elderly although more than 500 commuters also benefit by taking routes to the Caltrain station.

With its popularity, more shuttles were added and more cities emulating the program fought for precious state and federal dollars. With local gas tax funds dwindling, the city was forced to brainstorm other ways to keep the shuttles afloat past July. New operators and grants helped cut drop costs to roughly $700,000 annually but the price tag was still steep for the city to absorb. An 11-member task force considered multiple ideas, such as a per-fare fee or school district subsidies, but in the end settled on a parcel tax idea.

Last November, the council voted 4 to 1 in favor of placing the $59 amount on the ballot despite a consultant's recommendation for a lower amount and concern expressed by Mayor Inge Doherty that it was too high. Public Works Director Parviz Mokhtari, though, said any lesser amount would not be enough to fund the system. Even if a lesser tax passed, he said, the city or its residents would still be left to fill the gap. With the current rocky economic conditions, "$39 is the end of SCOOT," Mokhtari said before the vote.

The issues

The heart of the battle over the buses come down to two things: money and ridership.

Fans of SCOOT point to its use by the elderly and schoolchildren who otherwise have no bus service. Opponents concede it's a nice system in theory but that ridership numbers are overblown and the price tag is just too steep for the current economic conditions.

Opponents point to the now-defunct one-route bus system in the 1970s whose low ridership was so low "that farebox revenue would not pay for fuel," according to the ballot argument. The other side said opponents only bring up the failed bus line to "confuse the issue."

Proponents argue everybody benefits from SCOOT because it takes cars off the road, thereby relieving congestion. Anti-Measure T pundits rebut that 38 primary riders making one round trip a day is not worth the potential $3.25 million in new taxes over the next five years.

Some residents have tried to find a middle ground, such as asking school districts to subsidize the program or asking riders to pay a small fee with the remainder paid by the city. But, in the end, opponent John Hoffman said, neither works. Schools are far from flush with money and the city cannot afford to spend any more on the program.

"It's not sensible when the roads have potholes and cracks and the money from that fund was used up with SCOOT. There was a tradeoff and now we also have a flooding problem we can't afford to fix," Hoffman said, referring to recent flooding on Laurel Street. "There are a dozen or several dozen ways money is better spent than on a bus system."

It's possible the city may ask for parcel taxes to solve those problems, Hoffman said. Residents really shouldn't be stretched thin financially for SCOOT, too, he added.

The election

The election itself irks some who believe $50,000 would be better spent than to hold an election on a ballot initiative that could ultimately cost taxpayers even more. It comes on the heels of a $14,000 study commission to tell the council the unlikely feasibility of a parcel tax passing.

Regardless, the council approved the election last fall, hoping the voters can ultimately resolve the issue that has dogged meetings for the last two years.

The election, though, is catching many off-guard by not mimicking other contentious battles in the county such as those over Marina Shores Village development or fire funding.

Each camp has its Web site — www.scootyes.org and www.noonscoot.org - but have not yet held press conferences or papered the city in signs. Some worry residents may not even vote, let alone cast a ballot on the side they want.

"It's unlikely to generate a huge turnout as a special election but I really hope people use their voice pro or con .... even a small number of people will make the difference," Hoffman said.

Doherty, too, said she is surprised by the relative quiet of the race.

"It is very early to predict what will happen. But if there is any shot of winning, the campaign certainly has to step up," she said.

Debbie Heller, of the Friends of SCOOT Committee, is currently organizing phone bank volunteers with hopes of targeting residents the weeks of Feb. 7 and Feb. 13. Hoffman and other opponents are offering to make presentations before the Chamber of Commerce and other service clubs.

Vice Mayor Matt Grocott has stayed relatively quiet since the campaign kicked off but began rethinking that idea once Councilman Tom Davids became the treasurer of the pro-SCOOT camp. He believes it is important for voters to see councilmembers on both sides of the issue although he admits running the risk of being labeled against every funding measure.

Grocott spearheaded the drive against Measure I, a tax to support the South County Fire Authority. He now says that tax proposal was a much better idea than one to fund the shuttle service.

"Whether we keep South County fire together or not it has liabilities that need to be taken care of. I might be in favor less of this tax than that one," Grocott said.

The outcome

Despite earlier rumblings of a per-ride fee or other funding possibilities, next month's election is likely the end of the road for SCOOT unless the tax idea passes.

"I wish there were money but there's only so much we can do without cutting other programs and services ... as a council we have all heard the support and all heard the criticism. Now it is up to the voters," Doherty said.

If the ballot measure fails, SCOOT will run through the end of the school year. Parents and commuters would have a couple of months to make other transportation arrangements. The city will probably not have any Plan B, such as a per-ride fee or dip into general revenue funds, Doherty said.

Hoffman promises to stay mum regardless of the outcome.

"You won't hear a peep out of me. In a sense, I think it sounds great if we had the money and no other priorities but we just have better things to do," Hoffman said.

The future

Despite the quiet battle over SCOOT, some say it may affect upcoming council races.

Grocott's hesitation to be more public in the opposition campaign might be rooted in re-election fears, Doherty believes.

"I'm not surprised he's a bit leery with his re-election come November," she said. "To come out against SCOOT is political suicide."

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 104. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.