Letter: We support the Sprinter, but NCTD must listen to the community

A Sprinter train approaches the San Marcos Civic Center station File photo courtesy of SANDAG In response to the up-to-date op-ed by Joe Mathews from Z calo about the North County Transit District s Sprinter we would like to add the following information As supporters and users of masses transit we are glad the writer of the article was on the Sprinter on a good day However as former and current leaders in transportation economic growth law enforcement and employees and owners of large and small businesses we have identified frequent drug use and much crime on the Sprinter For example one of our members while leading a Sprinter tour for the Urban Land Institute was embarrassed by the open acceptance of drug use and crime that nationwide conference attendees were exposed to Our members also have firsthand knowledge of how the North County Transit District has restricted access to the right-away so cities and businesses cannot clean the prevalent graffiti across the line s course This degrades the rider s view of what could be wonderful scenery Lastly again with firsthand knowledge we know that NCTD has not had a good reputation with communities on the Sprinter line and on other transit and property issues which could easily be addressed A little input from others could go a long way and help the agency gain the endorsement that it requirements to replace the Sprinter vehicles early at a cost of over million and according to their CEO it could be significantly more Teamwork can make the dream work Thank you The Oceanside Safe Streets Association Times of San Diego welcomes thoughtful letters about current issues Please send to opinion timesofsandiego com for consideration