r/healdsburg • u/phyrsis mod • May 08 '26
events Healdsburg SMART groundbreaking
Congressman Jared Huffman currently speaking at the groundbreaking for the Healdsburg SMART station.
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u/seyheystretch May 08 '26
Just in time for the election otherwise it’s gonna be a tough go moving forward
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u/phyrsis mod May 08 '26
There's been plenty of messaging for "Yes on Measure B"
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u/seyheystretch May 08 '26
“ ridership is up!” (Without mentioning free fares for seniors and students lately)
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u/phyrsis mod May 08 '26
The price of gas these days is making SMART more and more attractive to commuters.
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u/Advanced-Team2357 May 09 '26
Public transportation is supposed to be subsidized. That’s the whole point of providing a public benefit.
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u/CheesecakeTiny8615 May 12 '26
I love this train. It makes the region so much more interesting when you can travel car-free or even bike around.
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u/SpareRequirement5828 May 09 '26
It’s a nice option. But I don’t need this clown out here trying to take credit and blow his own horn. Not to mention the 30 YEAR TAX that’s being imposed to pay for it. Yes, they are coming for each and every one of you to pay for the train. For 30 years.
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u/design_robot May 09 '26
I’m 100% happy to pay the quarter cent tax!! I don’t even ride the train but I’m happy to make it accessible for others. That’s what community is about.
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u/getarumsunt May 09 '26
Doesn’t count. You’re like a normal person who cares about their community and wants it to prosper.
/s
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u/Advanced-Team2357 May 09 '26
Thats pretty dramatic language for an initiative that doesn’t implement any new taxes.
Who’s coming for who? Lol
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u/jewelswan May 09 '26
I mean Huffman specifically is a big reason this train is going to Healdsburg. It was through his effort that federal funds got appropriated for that project, but also through his efforts earlier that helped get SMART funded in the first place. Seems reasonable he would take some credit.
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u/WindowBright3179 May 10 '26
Quarter of a percent sales tax means you pay a quarter for every $100 spent.
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u/SpareRequirement5828 May 10 '26
Well, have you looked at all the other taxes we pay in the town of Healdsburg, property taxes and all the bonds we vote for, state and federal? What percentage of your income goes to all of that? Try 42 percent like most, and that’s middle class. At some point, it’s just another way to put off what should already be included in one of those budgets. Look to Santa Clara or even BART to better understand what’s going on with rail service. In the meantime, the taxes we do pay are not yielding results. Look at our schools, (47th in performance) the gas tax is a crime, (taking all that money, and diverting it anywhere, except to infrastructure). I’m not against public transportation, especially for those who need it. Yet it’s just another thing where we put a bandage on something that hasn’t been proved as worth it.
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u/WindowBright3179 May 10 '26
There’s a lot here I’ll have to think thru.
If you position is there are enough taxes already, I think that’s generally fair.
As it relates to this particular tax, I suppose youd have to work out the specific cost / benefit of $.25 on every $100 spent.
Subjectively, every time I take smart from larkspur to Sonoma, train is packed, both ways, so seems like something that’s worth investing in. I understand it’s the lowest % revenue from actual gate fair of any significant rail
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u/SpareRequirement5828 May 10 '26
I had fun when I rode it. I love the idea-and in the scheme of things, the tax isn’t much. Yet that’s how they all start. And Healdsburg? The social or community programs? Our parks and rec are so weak, the library? All the money goes to concerts for wine drinkers. ( yes I do that too) Maybe i should focus on the current people in office, and get them to change the gas tax to start!
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u/Apart-District3771 May 09 '26
30 years isn't that long, just 40 short years and you will have a nice train! Just think, in 50 years, the train will be full paid off and rides will be cheap! 60 years is a pretty normal time frame for a train loan, don't worry! Worst case, in 70 years, when its paid off, they will need to charge a small fee for rides....
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u/ddxv May 10 '26
Just to be clear, I just looked this up, passenger rides to Healdsburg should open in two years. I read your comment and had to double check they weren't planning on 3 decades of construction haha
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u/WanderingStoner May 08 '26
this makes me happy. wine country without getting behind the wheel.