SAN ANTONIO (AP) - A union representing South Texas firefighters has questioned using public funds to help pay for a $280 million downtown San Antonio streetcar system.
Leaders of the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association on Tuesday announced their opposition to the transit plan.
President Christopher Steele says city funds should be used for public safety and other community services. Firefighters this weekend will help gather signatures in a petition drive to let voters, not transit officials, decide the fate of streetcar projects.
The VIA (VEE’-uh) Metropolitan Transit Authority board last September voted to proceed with the nearly 6-mile streetcar line, projected to open in 2017.
San Antonio has committed $32 million for construction. VIA official Charlie Gonzalez says operating funds will come from the transit authority and the system should spur economic development.
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