Since returning to Utah last summer after more than 20 years living in the Northeast, I have read many articles about light rail for the Salt Lake area. Your opinion editorial, however, deserves a response.
Even if light rail were free, it is a bad idea and not right for Utah. I speak from actual experience with mass transportation, including above-ground rail systems, underground rail systems and above-ground electric bus systems. In the Boston area, above-ground rails are being torn out after opponents fought for decades to keep them just in case they might again be used. How many of those who favor light rail in Utah have ever used any mass transportation, let alone a light rail system? I suspect there are few if any who have had direct experience with such systems.The purported reason for light rail focuses on pollution problems. But the system will not reduce pollution in any measurable way. If that were true, it would require so many rail cars traveling into downtown Salt Lake that cross traffic would come to a virtual halt. The pollution created from such gridlock would more than offset any gains.
Moreover, even if the entire system were free, Utah's taxpayers would have to subsidize it forever. To be honest about it, those who support light rail should admit that every light rail system requires substantial ongoing subsidies. The true test should be: If we had to pay for it ourselves (and our federal taxes are truly paying for it), would we really want light rail? The answer is clearly no.
But the worst part of light rail for Utah is that it will truly destroy the special beauty and ambiance of down-town Salt Lake City.
Finally, trackless systems, namely buses, are far more flexible than light rail. Buses would not destroy the look and feel of our lovely city. Buses can be easily redirected to meet evolving or short-term changes in traffic patterns at almost no incremental cost. Buses can use existing roads, including special bus lanes or High Occupancy Vehicle ("HOV' ) lanes.
Michael A. Jensen
Murray