So Long, California Drivers

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/25/opinion/california-transit-housing.html

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To the Editor:

Re “In California, a Green Split Over a Density Push” (front page, March 16): State Senator Scott Wiener’s plan to enable more homes near public transit is like California’s climate goals: bold, audacious and necessary.

Although transportation is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, our local jurisdictions have failed to connect the dots between where we build and how much that makes us drive.

But there’s a caveat. Yes, we need more homes near transit, so people can drive less. But homes for whom? New development near transit should include affordable homes. S.B. 827, Mr. Wiener’s bill, should require that.

Research shows that low-income households drive 25 to 30 percent fewer miles when living within a half-mile of transit. We are not just in a climate crisis, but also an affordable housing crisis. This bill can and must address both.

CHANELL FLETCHEROAKLAND, CALIF.

The writer is director of ClimatePlan, a network of over 50 nonprofit partners committed to improving land use and transportation.