Rail Spending Is a Bargain
Hooray to The Times for endorsing [the study of] a light rail system for the Fullerton-to-Irvine corridor (Feb. 15).
But when talking about rail, The Times brought up the subsidies that will be needed because a rail line is costly to build and fares will not cover the cost of operation.
No one talks about our highway system, which is heavily subsidized. We are in the midst of massive improvements to our freeways in Orange County. They have been paid for by a sales tax. Isn’t it odd that if we use sales tax for rail it is a subsidy, but if we use it for highways it is an investment?
We subsidize car culture in many ways: sales tax, local government general funds, developer fees. So-called free parking: The cost of those acres of parking is paid for in the price of goods and services.
The average household pays almost as much to support a car as for a mortgage. Freeways consume land that is forever lost to the tax rolls. In contrast, a rail system would take little for right of way.
It is time to make a proper accounting; when we do, rail will look like the bargain it is.
AMERICA BUCHANAN
Fullerton
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
