Regional bus, rail proposal unveiled
If things go the way they usually do here in Michigan, this project will cost twice as much as they say it will, and to pay for it the state will increase our taxes when they find that they cannot run this system in the black. I agree with the hybrid bus routes, this should have been done back in the '70s, but this state is always behind in good transportation for the populace. Imagine that, this being the automotive capital of the world. Well, it used to be.
"With anything about mass transit in the Detroit area, given over 50 years of failure, we don't know how successful we are going to be," Hertel said. "We build on the basis of reality of the ridership's needs."Yes, failure after failure. This includes the famed Detroit People Mover which was supposed to transport massive amounts of people and relieve downtown congestion. It never has. The People Mover has been the laughing stock of the nation as far as light rail systems go.
Detroit, which eliminated street cars in favor of buses in 1956, is the only major U.S. city without a rapid transit system, according to Transportation Riders United, a local grassroots group.This has hurt Detroit severely. People just cannot get around Detroit efficiently and cannot get to and from the suburbs efficiently. The People Mover is limited and has only one route. Detroit screwed up decades ago, and now when the state is in a financial mess, the state and Detroit want to spend even more of our tax dollars on what is guaranteed to be another taxpayer funded failure.
Grand Rapids, Michigan is considering a light rail system too. Another pork project that is going to cut into the wallet of the taxpayer. Grand Rapids Pundit has a good look at why it won't work. Grand Rapids: The Next Stop for the Light Rail Boondoggle Train
Between this and the other pork project, our infamous "sorely needed" Bridge to Canada, Michigan taxpayers are going to be in hock for literally billions of dollars. BILLIONS. If the state was not in the current deficit it is in now I'd say give this a try a little at a time as they are planning to now. But right now we cannot afford it, especially now that Michigan Democrats have passed legislation that allows the state's electricity providers to raise energy prices on the people (Leaving Michigan Families Out in the Cold).
In this economic crisis, our legislators in Lansing only show they are fiscally irresponsible by increasing spending on pork projects and potential pork projects, raising taxes, and allowing our energy utilities free reign to raise energy costs on the consumer. It is time for Michigan residents to fight back and recall these porkers or vote new blood in who will fight for the people. Among those I support are Jack Hoogendyk.
Say no to pork.
Sen. Alan Cropsey Against Michigan Pork Bridge To Canada
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