Railroading the poor: transit for the rich.

AuthorBalaker, Ted
PositionCitings - Brief Article

THE CHIEF argument for public transit is that it's necessary for those who can't afford cars. But many cities tailor their transit services to those who need them the least. The desire to entice rich people--commonly called "choice" riders--is a big reason why pricey light-rail lines have broken ground in so many cities, and why more than two dozen cities are angling for federal funds to build more.

Rail is much less flexible than a bus system and can cost five to 50 times as much. Add competitive contracting, which reduces operating costs by more than a third, and buses can be an even better deal. So public officials justify the hefty price tag for light rail by claiming that it's the only way to get affluent motorists out of their cars.

But there's nothing inherently unappealing about the bus. As long as it's fast, convenient, and comfortable, commuters will hop onboard. Instead, rail lines often replace bus lines, and this means the poor must endure more transfers as they go from bus to rail and back. And since...

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