What a surprise: Austin’s “commuter rail” program already has experienced 17-percent in cost overruns, and the first passenger hasn’t even stepped on-board. And that’s just what the transit agency is acknowledging.
The Austin American Statesman is reporting that another $35 million in other costs, directly attributable to the train, have been shoved into other agency categories. So much for transparency.
How much traffic-congestion will the train reduce? Probably not much. But, heck, other areas are wasting money so folks can attend the theater on Friday nights and take kids to the zoo on thr weekends, so Austin might as well, too.
That money is diverted from what really reduces traffic congestion — more lane-miles and better bus routes — is secondary to making Austin look just like every other city. And that includes a toy-train. (Even one that blows up.)
For a place that prides itself on the slogan “keep Austin wierd,” the liberals and big-government advocates here just seem to enjoy following lock-step with everyone else…
