Don’t Put Light Rail on Next Generation’s Credit Card

Not only is light rail transit ineffective in combating congestion, it’s also expensive, adding billions to the national debt. The US Department of Transportation has signaled that future transit projects should be locally funded by the people who use them. That puts the controversial Southwest Light Rail Transit line in limbo.

American Experiment’s Kim Crockett makes the case that SWLRT only saddles the next generation with our financial burdens in a MinnPost column.

We are not just taking out loans for ourselves; we are taking out loans on behalf of our kids and grandkids. How are future generations supposed to pay for government if we have already spent their earnings and tax dollars, and left them with our debts?

The DOT’s recommendation that we look to local funding has forced a tough conversation here at home. Are these good projects? And even if they are, can we afford them?

The answer from most state and local officials has been a resounding “No.”

Light rail expansion has failed to get approvals and funding from the Legislature; that issue blew up the transportation bill last session, leaving the state without funds for road repairs and expansion. Suburban counties have rejected the plan, too. In fact, when presented with funding transit that serves a “city-centric” model favoring downtown Minneapolis at the expense of suburbs, Anoka and Dakota county decided to dissolve the Counties Transit Improvement Board (or CTIB). Exit negotiations are under way.

Check out the rest of Kim’s “Don’t Put Another Train on the Kids’ Credit Card” column here.