Re: “Sound Transit’s light rail initiative doesn’t make the grade” (Oct. 29, Opinion):
I’ve been waiting and waiting for someone to come to the same conclusion that I have, and Charles Prestrud’s op-ed is right on.
We’re long past the point of diminishing returns on light rail. We’ve invested far too much for what we’ve gotten and it will cost us way too much to “finish” the system. Sound Transit should be working on delivering on the promise of an integrated regional transit system — not light rail. That is a mode that is proving to be very cost ineffective.
It is time to cap it off pretty much where it is, finishing sections that are within a few months of completion, and use bus rapid transit, feeder vans and ride services to complete the routes that are still to be implemented.
Do you have any idea how many rides of all types that you can buy for the $35 billion they now think it will cost to complete the system? They have lost all cost/benefit perspective.
Mark Ursino, Sammamish
