Excerpts of the report are reprinted below. The national experience with urban light rail systems' ability to solve traffic congestion, air pollution and related urban problems has been poor. Demographic trends will make light rail much less effective than predicted by planners. Light rail is expensive. New rides are those riders brought out of their cars and into the transit system.
Light rail is inflexible once in place.
The OCTA's bus system routes are adjusted three times a year. Light rail cost and ridership forecasts will be erroneous and biased in favor of light rail. Light rail will not spur development. Development along light rail corridors is spurred by tax subsidies, not light rail. Light rail will not improve commuter travel times, energy conservation and safety.