Strengthening the foundation of support for all mass transit in Rochester, including bus pass programs for employees and improvements to bus service. The main reason why RRTC is asking that rail transit be seriously studied is to change the direction of our transportation systems to support a revitalization of the established areas of greater Rochester. In Rochester, traffic congestion and air pollution are not yet serious problems, but our community faces serious problems with urban decay and the accessibility of jobs and services to those who have limited transportation options.
Transportation is a powerful force affecting the development of a metropolitan area.
An exclusive reliance on the automobile creates sprawling development patterns that encourages suburban growth while discouraging investment in older, more densely developed areas such as the city of Rochester and the villages. Rail transit can move large numbers of people into centralized areas, thereby allowing for denser development patterns. As more offices, factories and residents leave the city for the suburbs, the tax base of the city declines. As the tax base of the city declines, the decrease in services and the increase in taxes creates a vicious circle that leads to greater urban flight. Also, a city needs strong neighborhoods and a vibrant downtown.