A DARK SIDE TO LIGHT RAIL - THE EXPERIENCE OF 3 NEW TRANSIT SYSTEMS

This article compares the promises and projections made by advocates of light rail transit with the first three to five years of operating experience on the new San Diego, Calgary, and Edmonton systems. Light rail proponents often cite the performance of these systems, particularly the one in San Diego, as proof of light rail's promise. Although it is too early to draw a firm conclusion, a closer examination suggests that these systems have not been the resounding successes that light rail advocates claim: the new LRT lines appear to have increased transit operating and capital costs significantly in exchange for only a small gain in ridership.