Sep
22
Written by:
William Lutz
9/22/2009 9:52 AM
The Austin American-Statesman’s Ben Wear published an excellent article Sunday on the problems Capital Metro is having getting its light rail system started. The story goes into all the various problems Capital Metro is having getting the rail system started, including parts that don’t work together, problems with signals, and challenges putting up crossing gates. It’s well worth reading.
There is another note I’d like to add. Capital Metro’s “solution” to these problems appears to be higher taxes and an expansion of the rail system. The Legislature directed the Sunset Advisory Commission to do a special purpose review of Capital Metro. In its
self-evaluation report (p.165-168), Capital Metro calls for removing the referendum requirement before rail is expanded and allowing cities that want to join Capital Metro to bust the two-cent sales tax cap.
So Capital Metro can’t handle the starter rail line. That means we need a longer rail line and higher taxes. What’s wrong with this picture?