Transit Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor


 
TRANSIT

A BUS SYSTEM CANNOT DO ALL THAT IS PROMISED

Regarding Ann Kobayashi's letter (Aug. 10), I think there needs to be clarification on this wonderful system, as I can't believe a bus system can do all the things promised.

I've ridden in trains and buses in many cities, and I've never been on a bus that can travel nearly as fast as a train.

Also, a bus that can be used on an elevated highway and on the streets could not have the capacity of a train because they can't be as long or as wide.

That leaves more frequent buses, which means about 10 times as many buses. The initial startup cost of Councilmember Kobayashi's bus system may be less, but how much greater will payroll be to have 10 times as many drivers?

Also, how long before the elevated highway for the bus and the bus system's payroll makes the cost of the bus system more expensive than the train?

Terrence Ching
Honolulu


LET'S STUDY A CHEAPER SOLUTION THAT WORKS

Your Aug. 6 editorial "Note to City Council: Quit transit tap dance" worries about losing $20 million of federal funds. But spending this $20 million will lead to huge losses for O'ahu taxpayers.

The mayor now says the rail transit system will cost $5 billion, of which the feds will pay $1 billion (although no city has gotten more than $750 million).

Even taking his own lowball cost figure of $5 billion and the unrealistically high federal subsidy of $1 billion, O'ahu taxpayers would have to come up with $4 billion for a system which, by the mayor's own analysis, would leave traffic congestion at its present "F" level.

For a generous cost estimate of $1 billion (Tampa's cost only $400 million), we could get High Occupancy Toll lanes and save ourselves $4 billion. That's before the Federal Highway Administration subsidy that is available. The FHWA is encouraging the building of HOT lanes and could provide an 80 percent subsidy.

So, yes, let's scuttle two years of planning for a useless, costly system that will do nothing to relieve traffic. Let's study a much cheaper solution that works.

Pearl Johnson
Chair, Planning & Transportation Committee, League of Women Voters of Honolulu


RAIL WILL BE COSTLY MISTAKE FOR HONOLULU

I would like the City Council to very seriously consider the alternative plan offered by Ann Kobayashi.

Fixed rail is so unsuited to a small island, and would take unnecessary time and money. An elevated system with buses or such that could be changed to other routes and be flexible to any changes in the future opens the door to many options,

Fixed rail is just that — fixed. No changes are possible once it is in place. I do not know anyone who thinks that makes sense in Honolulu. In 15 years or so, we will want and need changes.

A flexible method would offer so many other options. If public transit does not pay for itself, the elevated road could be used as a express road going to Honolulu one way in the morning and return one way in the evening.

Please do not allow the rail to pass. It would be a disastrous and costly mistake.

Catherine Baker
Honolulu
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Aug/16/op/hawaii708160305.html