[Vision2020] Idaho Public Transportation Planning

[Kenneth Marcy]

In part due to political unrest in Middle Eastern countries, and in part due 
to the economic financialization of the petroleum pricing activities of the 
investment markets, the price of the preferable sweet crude petroleum for 
refining into transportation fuels again reached just under $100 per barrel 
this week.

This price is equivalent to mid-2007 prices, and was topped only by the 2008 
price spike that got a lot of attention. Continued political unrest in major 
oil producing countries suggests higher supply uncertainties, and that will 
surely be translated into higher prices. Further, given the historic sweep of 
political changes now underway, the possibility of yet significantly higher 
prices should not be discounted to help justify usual do-nothing attitudes.

The prospect of significantly higher transportation fuel prices behooves Idaho 
transportation planners to consider expansion of service and encouragement of 
ridership for urban transportation in at least the bakers' dozen largest Idaho 
cities, sized from Eagle upward to Boise. Further, local planners around the 
state should consider expanding, or providing in the first place, smaller scale 
transportation services for elderly, disabled, and those in need of non-
emergency medical attention and care.

Legislative officials would do well to notify local planners that renewed 
interest in transportation planning of both larger cities and smaller towns is 
of continuing interest both for cooperative economic benefit and for enhancing 
quality of life for those for whom necessary local travel is difficult. Local 
discussions, hearings, and recommendations that are forthcoming should be 
considered with respect to possible legislative assistance for implementation.


Ken