It is once again time to bring out that old 80’s saying, Just Say No, when it comes to the light rail system that our "esteemed" Governor is still pushing. Hopefully, it will work better then it did to stop the use of drugs.
The boondogle has jumped in price, up to a potential $759 million dollars. However, the "TTA is struggling to answer rigorous questions from federal officials about predictions of how many people will ride." And well they should. Here is the current map of this project. For those unfamiliar with the Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill), this train would do squat. You might get a few folks from the Cary area to ride it to Research Triangle Park for work, but that is about it. The system ignores and enormous (cannot stress that enough) portion of the population that works in the RTP, which is half the point in running the rail system to lower traffic. Heck, it ignores most people who live in Raleigh to start with.
I could easily go on and on about what a waste of money it is, and would be. The taxpayer is subsidizing the system now, and will heavily subsidize it in the future. Time to put an end to this boondoggle, unless they can come up with decent plans. How? Write either Senator Elizabeth Dole or Congressman David Price, and tell them you say "NO" to changing the rules which would allow the US Gov’t to give the money to the TTA easily.
For Senator Dole, go here.
For Rep. Price, go here.
Sorry, you’re getting one, too, and the people who live in Texas will pay for it.
The mayor of Charlotte continues to completely and totally sell his soul to anyone and anything to get HIS light rail train running. It has increased in cost over 1000% since the first “estimates,” and they haven’t built a single thing yet.
If you think that the rail system does nothing then what do you think is the solution to traffic on I-40 and the continuing misuse of resources to sprawl. Many a taxpayer living in a more “responsible” manner (land use wise) subsidizes the roads and utility infrastructure, of which an overwhelming per capita amount is used by people living in tract development far away. The amount of taxpayer money that goes to transit is such a minute amount compared to the amount of federal, state, and local money that goes towards building roads. A rail system would allow for long-term investments to be made along its corridor that emphasize smarter growth and the rail system will expand to serve a larger market (north raleigh and beyond) as it is allowed to. Futher prolonging the fight is what is making it cost twice as much. Even if you think you are too good to use the rail, maybe it will take some peeps off I-40 so your commute will be faster. We also need to implement HOV lanes on I-40…asap!