Light rail project raises issues of economic impact, accessibility, congestion, worker access, student use

SAN MARCOS — Transportation industry leaders stressed the importance of transportation accessibility at a Monday afternoon press conference held at the San Diego North Economic Development Council. Once a month, the council highlights an industry cluster in its effort to promote the local economy.

Six business leaders attended the hour-long discussion regarding the future of the Sprinter, a 22-mile light rail project that will link Oceanside to Escondido by December 2007, and its impact on the local economy. “By providing higher levels of mobility, firms and companies can get access to workers, they’re not able to solve their labor issues,” said Stefan Marks, manager of service development for the North County Transit District .

Marks said a San Diego Association of Governments study is researching the possibility of a bus service that would connect Escondido to San Diego and the University Towne Center area with limited stops in Poway, Mira Mesa and Sabre Springs.  “We’re looking at how that can compliment the Sprinter,” he said.

But convincing business leaders to leave their cars at home isn’t likely, said Ted Owen, president of the advocacy group Transit Alliance for a Better North County and president and chief executive o∞ cer of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. Instead, he said students are likely to benefit from the service, which stops near Palomar College and Cal State San Marcos campuses.

“One of the sore points for students is how much they charge for fees and books but parking and permits are a real challenge,” he said. The light rail service, which makes 64 daily trips, has a $1.75 fl at fee or 75 cents for seniors.

The passenger service operates seven days a week from about 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. with service every 30 minutes in each direction.

“I don’t see tourists necessarily utilizing transit because most visitors like using their cars — it’s hard to even get them on a bus,” said Cami Mattson, president and chief executive officer of the San Diego North Convention and Visitors Bureau.  “But it will increase accessibility because it reduces congestion on the road,” Mattson said.

Owen likened the Sprinter’s impact to a federal holiday: fewer cars on the road and reduced commute times. “That’s about 10,000 cars,” he said.

Presentations by remaining industry clusters will be held at the council’s office, 100 N. Rancho Santa Fe Road, Suite 124, at 1:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month.  Upcoming industries include health care, tourism/gaming, banking/finance, manufacturing, sports and extreme sports, agriculture, military/defense, education, biotechnology and marketing/communications.

Reach reporter Heather Chambers at 760.752.6745.