Vote required for light rail to Galveston

One of the things the new council in Galveston should discuss is when to call a referendum on a proposed commuter rail system between Galveston and Houston.

The vote is required by charter.

Steve Greenberg, who has been involved in public affairs for decades in Galveston and who is a stickler for the charter, points out that the language in the charter is unusually clear. Commuter rail is “light rail.” That phrase is specifically mentioned in the charter. Now that Greenberg has a seat on the council, the topic should be on a council agenda soon.

As we’ve said before, a commuter rail line between Galveston and Houston could be an economic godsend for the county. Major improvements in transportation often are catalysts for development and investment. Try to imagine how attractive Galveston County would be if it were possible to live in Galveston, La Marque or League City, for example, and work in downtown Houston without fighting traffic.

But Galveston’s charter clearly requires that the public has the final say on whether the city will be part of such a system.

That means public officials will have to be as forthcoming about the costs as well as the advantages.

The council would be wise to brief the public from the start about the financial implications of a commuter rail system. How much would it cost to operate a light rail system? How much of that would be the burden of city taxpayers? How much would it cost to ride?

The answers to those questions might not be known now.

But elected officials ought to be pressing for that kind of information sooner, rather than later.

If Galveston is going to be part of a light rail system, the public will have to be sold that it’s a good deal.

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Article 3, Section 5: Elections on creation of mass transit systems

The city council shall call a public referendum before creating a mass transit system that requires the expenditure of local, state or federal funds by the city of Galveston. The definition of a mass transit system includes, but is not limited to, trolley cars, heavy rail systems or light rail systems.