Rush To Rails Harms Bus Transit

A week has not even gone by since we observed in this space that light rail is a bad idea because of, among other things, Saint Louis’ experience. We wrote:

Years later, in 2008, Metro threatened to cut about half of its bus routes in Saint Louis if a sales tax, partially to expand light rail, was not approved. In other words, they would sacrifice efficient bus transit to pay for inefficient rail transit.

Now we read on KCUR’s website that Kansas City’s bus system is struggling for much the same reason: having to transfer money out to support studies on streetcars.

Area Transportation Authority general manager Mark Huffer said diverting transit tax money for streets and streetcars is taking its toll.

“It’s going to be virtually impossible for us to sustain current service levels like things such as Max on Prospect or Max on North Oak that we hear a lot of people asking for – for the long run – if what is continuing to be allocated to ATA lessens every year,” says Huffer.

Whatever the motivations of Kansas City light rail and street car aficionados, it should be clear that providing efficient transit is not one of them.