Webb: The time has come for a big mass transit push along the Wasatch Front, particularly rail transit. The stars have aligned, the reality is within grasp, and it is time to act.

Within 10 years, we could have a system that would put 90 percent of the residents of the Wasatch Front within one mile of a light rail, streetcar, bus rapid transit or commuter rail station, and within walking distance of a bus stop.

Use of mass transit could become a realistic, reliable and pleasant transportation alternative for hundreds of thousands of commuters. Along with the crucially needed highway expansion recommended by local government associations, Utah could have an urban mobility system that would be the envy of the nation, enabling robust economic development and ultimately increased tax dollars for top priorities like education.

With a bit of legislative action this session, this system can be built on a fast track within 10 years, instead of the projected 30 years. The reason this opportunity is currently so ripe is that an unlikely coalition of organizations and forces have come together to vocally and actively support this broad transportation initiative.

As Frank points out below, a number of lawmakers don't particularly like the Utah Transit Authority, although no one can argue that UTA doesn't run a very fine transit system. It's important to note that forces well beyond UTA are leading the charge for mass transit. It is the business community, led particularly by Lane Beattie and the Salt Lake Chamber. It is local government leaders, who have gone out on a limb in support of a comprehensive transportation initiative that includes the 10-year transit plan. Local leaders are aggressively seeking light-rail extensions into their communities.

It is the LDS Church, whose plans for its massive downtown development count heavily on transit to deliver employees, students, shoppers and visitors. It is developers and business people who are planning major "transit oriented developments" around light rail and commuter rail stations. It is city councils and local planners who are literally changing their land use plans because they are so excited about what rail transit can mean to their communities.

Finally, it is the people — the voters — who overwhelmingly support rail transit. Mass transit has emerged beyond the exclusive realm of tree-hugging environmentalists. It is no longer the forgotten stepchild of transportation planning. It has come into the mainstream. Utahns want it. Business people want it. Local governments want it.

To get it, all that is initially required is for counties that want to be part of the action to dedicate a half-cent of sales tax to transit. Weber and Davis counties already do that. Salt Lake County is almost there, at 7/16th cent. Utah County is at 1/4 cent. While I disagree with Frank's flippant characterization of my good friends in Utah County (where I grew up), I do believe Utah County needs to step up with the additional 1/4 cent. Lawmakers don't have to impose it. Put it to a vote of the people.