OCTD’s Sale of Right of Way

In a move reminiscent of the destruction of Southern California’s extensive rail transit system of the 1950s, the Orange County Transit District will put a potential piece of the region’s transit future up for sale. The decision to sell a right of way to developers for non-transportation purposes is probably the most shortsighted action ever taken by the OCTD Board of Directors.

OCTD had hoped to build part of a starter 38-mile light rail system on the right-of-way, which runs from Stanton to downtown Santa Ana through Garden Grove but gave up on all light rail plans when county voters wisely rejected the highway-oriented Proposition A sales tax measure in 1984. None of the revenue generated by the tax was guaranteed for light rail construction, so the vote can hardly be seen as public rejection of the proposed system. But that is exactly how OCTD and county politicians interpreted the results.

By putting the Garden Grove-to-Stanton portion of the right of way up for sale, OCTD is eliminating an important future option for a quick light rail link between central and western Orange County. The right of way, still safely under Southern Pacific ownership, continues northwest out of Orange County to Los Angeles. It is the most direct remaining rail corridor between central Los Angeles and Orange County and could be an important inexpensive transportation link between the two counties.

OCTD could save the right of way and recover its costs through development if it would consider selling development rights over and near the tracks instead of right where they would be laid.

A large office/commercial development, which will include a new trolley transfer station, is being built right over the tracks in downtown San Diego. In the year 2000, San Diego County residents will enjoy nearly 100 miles of popular light rail transit lines while Orange County residents are still stalled in traffic jams.

KIRK SCHNEIDER

Secretary

California Transit League

Sacramento