This happens every time a railroad project is built in the United States: other people who simply don’t understand that the human race might not make it if we all keep driving gas-powered cars complain that rail transportation is subsidized (“ Let’s See the Real Prices Subsidy of Railroad Operations,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, January 25). The fare collection rate is never 100%, nor does it deserve to be, because everyone and everyone benefits every time someone exercises instead of driving.
However, the large driving subsidy ($368 million per year, according to the state website) is never discussed. Both modes of transport are subsidized, but only one continues to release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
No matter how poorly managed the new rail formula is (and starting it in the west end instead of Ala Moana was a big mistake, leading to low ridership all the way to the airport and downtown), we have to build it . So let’s avoid predicting that a style in which everyone drives a private gasoline car will be effective or less subsidized.
As Ann Landers used to say, wake up and smell the coffee.
Christophe Moylan
Manoa
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