The “D.C. Metro” subway was largely funded by US Congress. The population of Washington D.C. is less than 600,000 but let’s be generous and include the whole metropolitan area since the subway is now part of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. We’ll also be generous and pretend that everyone living in the area uses the metro. That makes the population utilized by this service in DC, NOVA, and MD roughly 5,000,000. That is < 2% of the people who paid for it. M

akes the Madison train seem reasonable, doesn”t it?

Well said! The idea of light rail in Madison is just a joke. Expand the bus system and you can save a lot of money.

You are wrong. It will happen eventually. Your thinking is too myopic and short-term. In fact, its thinking like this that puts off the inevitabble. We’d probably still be riding horse and carriage if you were in chare 120 years ago because paving roads cost taxpayers money.

DAMMIT SARA AGAIN YOUR TRAPPED INSIDE OF YOUR OWN SHORT TERM REASONSING. I WANT TO GAG MYSELF.

the only good thing about a light rail would be cheap access to the airport..other than that it’s a waste of money.

Just give everybody a new hybrid car and a lifetime supply of gas - it would be cheaper.

DAMMIT SARA AGAIN YOUR TRAPPED INSIDE OF YOUR OWN SHORT TERM REASONSING. I WANT TO GAG MYSELF.

What reasoning?

A train would stop traffic for less time than a red light. Is that the biggest concern you can raise? That, and the grossly overstated costs. And the hospitals located next to the already existing train bridges. Oh, and the wrong ridership numbers. But you’ve got a readable font. That much I can say is good.

As a resident of Virginia who takes the Metro in to work every day, I can assure you the system is not all it seems be so lovingly described above. Affordable? The cost to the rider is much higher here than in any of the other major cities. (My sister rides for one fixed fare in Boston regardless of distance.) Efficient? There is constant Alert scroll on the system’s webpage alerting travelers of delays. Safe? Crime is up on the system (Robberies up 19%)and Metro just hired a new officer in charge from the Federal Transit Administration to combat it.

“Assume that the rate of benefit from Dane County carries over to UW students, which would mean that only about 2,000 students would benefit from the light rail system.”

That’s a dumb assumption. Students are more likely to benefit from a light rail system because they’re more likely to live in close proximity to stops. That doesn’t necessarily mean that light rail is a good idea, just that Sara’s argument is ridiculous, as usual.

“Well, not so much when you think about the number of hospitals in the area and the fact that all emergency vehicles would have to stop for trains, too. If there’s an emergency and you need to get to the hospital at a time when a light rail train is going past you, too bad.”

Yeah! Instead of respecting the train’s right of way, you should run out in front of it! That’ll show it!

UWCR needs a new chair. Then again, the rest of the party isn’t doing much better.

If you’re going to take the time to respond, maybe you should criticize the ideas and not her. Everything Sara stated is fact. Saying that “UWCR needs a new chair” is not only improper grammar, but it’s also false. Sara is the best thing to ever happen to the UWCRs. Personally, I hope she stays on board for next year. (Unless she’s smart enough to leave crazy Madison for the election.)

-E

Let’s look at it this way. A light rail system is estimated to cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $300 million. Invest that money at a conservative five percent interest and you get $15 million per year, more than enough to fund a major expansion of Madison’s bus system that reaches far beyond University Avenue.

“the train would cost an average of $65.”

What the hell are you talking about? You’re saying they’re going to charge people this? You’re wrong. They’d charge something similar to the bus system. The RTA would also cut some of the bus system because this is in place, giving it more funds.

There’s a half-cent sales tax to pay for it. Oooooh scary!

Just stop writing nonsense.

When I was a student, my two feet served me very well. The most absurd notion is that students’ two feet cant serve them adequately enough.

From March to November these trains are all but empty. Why in the world would any student pay to ride a train when they are equiped with a bike, a moped, a car, a pogo stick, etc …

As much as I love Madison, I don’t miss it, college campuses seem to be the epicenter of confusion, not enlightenment ..

How about some middle ground between “The Great Train Robbery” anti-smart growth group (aka “The Great Highway Robbery”) and something preliminarily only serving a stretch between Middleton and Sun Prairie? What about Express Bus service throughout the Urbanized Area going from : 1) Waunakee to Fitchburg, 2) DeForest to Verona, 3) Sun Prairie to Oregon, 4) Cross Plains to Stoughton, and Cottage Grove to the UW campus. Doing so would generate local jobs and save households bundles on the ever-increasing cost of gas. And yeah, mass transit can be good for the environment, public health, and a sense of community too.

Go to www.busadvocates.com to check out some ideas about Bus Rapid Transit. Consider joining the UW’s Student Bus Advocates group.

Since when do Republicans care about the environment?

“‘UWCR needs a new chair’ is not only improper grammar”

UWCR is a group, which is singular, therefore needs is correct. Don’t try to play grammar police unless you know what you’re talking about.

You goddamned young whippersnappers ought to have listened to esteemed Badger Herald alum Davy Mayer when he pitched his zeppelin-based mass transit solution during his ill-fated run for mayor. Damn libtards! - Germain Q. Stemme

UWCR actually stands for “University of Wisconsin College Republicans” which is plural. Please consider revising your ill-informed comment 4:14.