The Sun continues to miss the point of Gov. Larry Hogan's review of light rail projects ("A Hogan decision to kill Red Line or Purple Line would be highly unusual March 11 and "Labor Secretary Perez promotes Red Line, high speed rail," March 16).
The state of Maryland has never seriously considered the merits of these projects and all available alternatives. There is mounting evidence that promised economic development will not materialize and that traffic congestion will not be eased if these lines are built. The costs will clearly outweigh any benefits that are accrued largely by construction contractors and real estate developers. The zoning for sensible development is already in place. Ridership in both projects is fanciful, based on the experience of similar projects worldwide. It is time to scale them back or cancel them, as governments from Florida to Australia are already doing. In the current budget situation, these projects just don't make sense.
The governor has pointed to the excessive cost as a reason for a thorough review. Buses will do a better job of moving large numbers of people for less money. We may be able to improve traffic congestion more with buses than with trains. With the money saved, more useful things can be done.
I commend Governor Hogan for finally using a sharp pencil and mature judgment about the hard choices we face. I urge The Sun to do the same.
Lewis Leibowitz, Chevy Chase