Transportation Policy in Disarray Metrorail's high cost heavy rail system arose from a view of suburban development already outmoded when its first stations opened. Yet, transit policy failed to respond to this plainly visible fact. Consequently, today, the vast majority of daily trips people make are by auto and in directions not served by Metrorail lines. Lengthening them and putting light rail lines in several corridors can't change that. This is a no-win policy and focus.
Transportation planning is muddled.
Some business leaders who, last year, pushed for very expensive extensions of Metrorail in several growing corridors now recognize both the lack of rail funding and density in these corridors. Now, they favor a priority for road expansion. Both strategies have vastly inflated transportation funding needs and have badly divided advocates of improved area transportation. Yet, neither group has a clue to gaining the many billions their schemes would require over the next ten years. We shouldn't waste more time and money on transit modes that cannot meet these needs.