We need to build it so when our grandkids go to UT and housing around the campus is outrageous, they can move out of the city. We need it so workers will buy houses on light rail routes that service their places of employment. We need it because the economic development along it will create jobs and invite residential housing. Few people are going to stop using their cars because of light rail, but they may use them a lot less. There is too much congestion.
Downtown is a finite area.
Building more roads around Austin and in the Hill Country will dump more traffic into an already full cup. We need an alternative. People say we should take time to consider our options. Think of what considering our options over the last 20 years has cost us. The more we wait, the more costly and intrusive any mass transit project will be.