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Livermore, Kathleen <br />From: Robert Boden [rgboden@gmail.com] <br />Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010 5:32 PM <br />To: Livermore, Kathleen <br />Subject: Yes! Let's Study BRT! <br />I will be at the meeting tonight, but I wanted to provide you with three quick personal <br />thoughts in support of BRT for Berkeley. <br />First, I recognize this issue has generated a lot of heat among certain groups. It's easy to <br />be distracted by the high emotions, and it's tempting to just give in to them. We elected <br />you, however, to make thoughtful, tough decisions about what's best for Berkeley. The <br />population in this area is going to boom over the next decades, and there's not enough room <br />on the road for all those cars. Please be strong, and make the level-headed decision about <br />what's best for Berkeley. Don't let their emotions get in the way of your duty as our elected <br />official. <br />Second, these projects always have opponents.. When the Golden Gate Bridge was proposed., there <br />were hundreds of law suits filed, and people were angry about the idea of a big bridge across <br />their bay. All that seems silly now, and the Golden Gate Bridge is an asset to our region, as <br />well as a symbol. The same is occurring with high-speed rail on the Peninsula. Although there <br />are loud opponents now, in 20 years, we'll all look back and ask, "Why didn't we do this <br />sooner." The same is true here. These business owners have legitimate concerns, but in 5 <br />years, they will be happy about this bus line. It will be dropping off customers at their <br />front doors. <br />Finally, I would encourage you to support the full. build option, not the limited option. I <br />work at the Family Justice Center in Oakland, which is just off Telegraph. I would, without a <br />doubt, take BRT if it had dedicated bus lanes. That would ensure the service is rapid. <br />Without the dedicated bus lanes, it's just slightly better than a regular old bus, and that <br />would mean a 30-40 minute commute, which only takes 15 minutes by car. Without dedicated bus <br />lanes, BRT will be too slow, and it will fail. <br />If you would like to contact me, you can do so at this a-mail address or (415) 742-1244. <br />Thank you. <br />Sincerely, <br />Robert Boden <br />2817 Hillegass Ave <br />Berkeley, CA 94705 <br />i <br />