As a Libertarian I feel that it is the duty to privatize as many functions of the bloated abomination that is local government as is humanly possible for those of you who have chosen elective office as your profession. Isn’t that your first duty I would go so far as to ask?

As an example, let us take the case of King County Metro Transit/Sound Transit. This is a function of the economy best served by private entrepreneurs not by professional government bureaucratic insiders who are the pawns of those elected politicians who we could call union bosses.

What would a privatized transit system look like? Read on.

First of all, each park and ride would have to be redone to become the center of a neighborhood/subregional transportation hub. What does that mean? It means a cab stand suitable to serve those customers who, when they get off a bus, can hop in a cab. And vice versa can call a cab and expect it to arrive within a reasonably quick time to pick them up to take them to the private park and ride. This means more cab medallions in increased numbers made available. Also, private van services could route out through neighborhoods from the privatized park and ride to feed more riders to the bus routes moving between park and rides and business/employment centers. This means making jitney services legal, available. Why not have small service businesses in leased spaces at the park and ride? Drop off/pick up your dry cleaning is one example. Pick up something to read at the newsstand. Cup of joe? Right there at the espresso stand. Not enough parking? Put up a garage – add in commercial space for those small businesses.

What would happen to the present employees of the existing system? Probably they would be rehired by the private firm to keep right on trucking. Also, more employment opportunities become available as entrepreneurs step in to fill the need for the jitney vans and cabs. In this period of lower employment prospects especially among our youth and local folks who don’t have advanced high-tech or bio-tech academic credentials, employment in transportation would represent a relatively easy-entry livelihood.

All of this begs the question of routing and logistical questions such as the appropriate size of vehicle to match ridership at a specific point in the daily commute cycle, or special event need, which could not be handled economically other than by a privatized entity which has its finger on the pulse of the transportation market.

And if you don’t believe me just go to the segment of N.E. Sixth Street in Bellevue between 108th Ave. N.E. and 110th Ave. N.E. and see for yourself how the small shops along Sixth face out onto the bus and pedestrian bustle to make the most of the opportunity that has presented itself with no “grand poobah” orchestrating the symbiotic relationship. Sort of like the coral atolls you see on nature programs with fish and whales and sharks all swimming around the coral and getting along just fine. Except for the interference from people who mess up the natural laws governing the free relationship between the inhabitants who make it their home.

Miles F. Holden, Kirkland