Re: “WA residents deserve more from their transportation system” (Nov. 9, Opinion):
Washington can build the transport system we deserve: one that gets us where we want to go safely, efficiently and affordably, while supporting healthy people, economy and environment.
First, we must choose transport that does not kill us suddenly or slowly or strand us waiting for a flight. Washington traffic fatalities are rising. “Fueling Sickness,” by 12 health organizations, summarizes how burning petroleum kills us by causing heart, lung and brain disease. We don’t deserve all that, but if we keep doing what we’re doing, we’ll surely get more of it.
How do we fix our expensive broken transport system? With more trains, not more lanes, not more planes or airports. Per passenger mile, trains are the most efficient, healthiest transport choice, even when burning diesel fuel; and better when electrified.
We’re building a great light rail system, and House Bill 1837 sets requirements for the Washington State Department of Transportation to fix Amtrak Cascades failures. Passenger rail networks work well all over the world. Let’s use Climate Commitment Act money to build ours now.
Breck Lebegue, MD, MPH, and Chris Covert-Bowlds, MD, co-chairs, Climate and Health Task Force, WA Physicians for Social Responsibility
