Sam Smith - Back when Washington's Metro was being planned, the Review pointed out that we could get 1,000 miles of light rail for the cost of the planned 100 mile subway system. There were some clear advantages to this aside from cost, including the fact that Metro, we noted, would actually increase DC street traffic by encouraging new development but only bringing about 25% of those who commuted there. This turned out to be one of the main - if still ignored - factors in DC's traffic congestion.
But something else has happened that makes light rail less attractive. As the Metro showed the cost and transit disadvantages of new subway systems, attention turned to light rail. And as attention turned its way, its costs soared. For example, a 2.2 mile light rail system in St. Louis will cost a quarter as much a similar length DC subway expansion did a few years back.So the light rail advantage has dropped from ten to one to four to one.
At present, the best and least costly mass transit system is bus service in exclusive lanes.
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