td> Yahoo! is not affiliated with the authors of this page or responsible for its content.
Microsoft Word - Document2 http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/commentary/hc-commentaryperez0113.artjan13,0,5711115.story

Courant.com

Transit: A Ticket To Hartford Prosperity

Mayor On Board With New Links

By EDDIE A. PEREZ

January 13, 2008

Hartford is a city that is as strong as its people. The definition of "people," however, includes more than
just our residents. It includes the almost 120,000 people employed here, for we are still the job center of
the state and the insurance capital of the world.

And it also includes the hundreds of thousands who visit each year for entertainment and conventions.
Hartford is one of the country's premier cities for arts and culture and a destination of choice, thanks to
our parks, historical architecture and diverse neighborhoods.

When Hartford is strong, the region is strong. But to compete in today's global economy, Hartford must
be an international destination as well. Easier access to transportation can play a major role in city,
regional and state growth. That is why it is essential that Hartford take the lead and work with the
surrounding communities to achieve a seamless regional transportation system. The busway connecting
the suburbs to the city is just one element of the bigger picture called transit-oriented development that
must be envisioned.

We need to link commuter rail, Amtrak and access to Bradley International Airport. People should be
able to take the train from Union Station in Hartford to the airport.

For that matter, they should be able to take the train from New Haven or Springfield to get to Bradley.
Thinking bigger still: People who use Bradley to fly to and from Amsterdam should be able to simply
hop on a high-speed train going to Boston or New York, avoiding the traffic congestion of those larger
airports.

A majority of the top 10 cities in the country are implementing ideas like these to improve their quality
of life and economic vitality. Connecting modes of transportation is environmentally smart because it
reduces pollution. This is "smart health" because reducing emissions will help ease the region's high
asthma rate, especially for our children.

Also, when people live close to convenient transportation, they can walk to the train or busway. This
increases homeownership opportunities that in turn stabilize communities and attract neighborhood
economic development.

So, a regional transportation system is an investment in our economy as well as our ecology. It will build
on the various modes of transportation that already exist and connect them, with the goal being that they
run more effectively and efficiently and serve more people.
It will create jobs and make it easier to get to existing jobs. Hotels will benefit and tourism at new
regional attractions, including the Connecticut Science Center, Blue Back Square, Cabella's and
Rentschler Field, will get a boost providing a positive ripple effect so that new businesses can be
established. I will be asking for a federal planning grant to help coordinate how the city and region can
maximize transportation projects.

This is smart growth or "better designed and planned for" growth. "No growth" is not an option. We
must adopt a smart growth strategy, which means increasing density in our urban centers such as
Hartford that translates into economic growth, jobs and new homeowners. But it also means a bigger tax
base to provide better city services including education which delivers a better-prepared
workforce.

For Hartford to continue its unprecedented revitalization, it needs to revitalize something that all people
need: a means of getting from point A to point B safely, economically and efficiently. Developing a
strong, regional transportation system is a critical step to take advantage of our successes in the past six
years safer streets, higher educational standards, more homeowners and increased investment.

Hartford is as strong as its people all of its people and we're moving forward. Now is the time to
get "all aboard" together to promote a higher quality of life and a more competitive tomorrow.

Eddie A. Perez is the mayor of Hartford and will speak at the MetroHartford Alliance's Rising
Star Breakfast on Tuesday.

Copyright © 2008,
The Hartford Courant

Reprinted with Permission of The Hartford Courant