Myth vs. Fact (Part II)
Myth: We don’t need rail if we add more buses.
Fact: Traffic congestion slows buses, increases bus operating costs and hurts bus schedule reliability. Plus, Honolulu’s bus system is already approaching capacity.
Myth: We don’t need rail if we build toll lanes.
Fact: Toll lanes will increase traffic and increase congestion. They result in only a minor increase in transit usage. In addition, toll lanes are not financially feasible, add to the cost of travel and do not support sustainability.
Myth: Rail will not solve traffic congestion.
Fact: Rail will reduce traffic congestion by 11 percent in the year 2030. This is like commuting in the summer when school is out versus when school is in session. Rail solves traffic congestion better than any other alternatives.
Myth: No rail system has alleviated congestion.
Fact: St. Louis and Portland report reduction in traffic and drive-alone cars. Studies show that 1 mile of transit travel substitutes 3 to 8 miles in auto travel.
Myth: No U.S. city has increased transit usage.
Fact: Since 1995, Transit use is growing faster (up 30 percent) than car usage (up 24 percent) or the U.S. population (up 12 percent).
Myth: High gas prices will not get people out of cars.
Fact: Rail usage has increased in the following cities:
- New York, UP 5 percent this year
- Boston, UP 8.3 percent through April
- Denver, UP 8 percent this year
- Charlotte, UP 43 percent over last year
- Portland, UP 11.3 percent over last year
Myth: The federal share of the cost of rail transit is shrinking.
Fact: The statutory federal share is still up to 80 percent as it was before. The project share depends on the need for the federal funds. HOT lanes and busways are not eligible.
Myth: HOT lanes are less expensive than rail.
Fact: This is not substantiated with any level of real engineering. No qualified structural engineer testified to this claim. Licensed engineers estimate HOT/busway cost more than rail. HOT Lanes would cost more per ride to use.
Myth: A HOT lane viaduct costs less than $1 billion.
Fact: This claim is based on simply doubling a $420 million Tampa viaduct. Tampa’s viaduct is 5.8 miles long, not 20 miles long like the proposed Oahu rail, and the cost does not include any contingency, soft costs, etc.
Myth: A $4 toll will pay for a three-lane HOT viaduct.
Fact: A $4 toll will generate only about $17 million in annual revenue even if everybody pays the toll during the peak hours. Even the new Tampa viaduct is not paying for itself.