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Many Columbus Underground readers have been following with interest the latest momentum swing, both politically and financially, towards investment in passenger rail in Ohio. Some recent comments on rail transit by an Ohio legislator bothered me so much I did something I've never done before: I sent the legislator a respectful letter of disagreement. The legislator's quote, and a summary of my comments, are below:
(From the Toledo Blade, "Lawmakers skeptical of 3-C's' Passenger Rail", February 13th)
"I want to see a very high priority given on [road] infrastructure before I am of the opinion that rail, as far as passengers, is something that is going to be beneficial to the state," Rep. Cheryl Grossman, a suburban Columbus Republican, told Ohio's new transportation director, Jolene Molitoris.
"From the information that I've been able to obtain, every rail system in this country is subsidized with the exception of two," she said. "If that's not a huge red flag … I don't know what is."
What I take issue with is primarily the second part of Representative Grossman's comments. I agree with her that road infrastructure needs investment. What I don't agree with is her logic. She feels the fact that rail is subsidized raises a "red flag". She correctly notes that passenger rail does not generate enough income to support itself and tax dollars are required to keep them running. What doesn't logically follow - as far as I'm concerned - is her belief that roads are a better investment. As many others have noted, roads also do not generate enough income to support themselves, and require massive tax dollar investment - i.e., they're subsidized.
This is a curious double standard. Why is rail the mode that must be self-sufficient?
I think rail should be - and could be - self-sufficient. But the point is, most modes of transit are subsidized. The key is not to invest in the one that is self-sufficient, but to invest in modes that are sustainable and cost-effective in the long term. We need to repair our roads, but we cannot endlessly expand highways. We cannot endlessly expend fossil fuels. We cannot afford to drop $1.6 billion on a downtown Columbus interchange every 10 years.
I don't mean any disrespect to Representative Grossman, but I hope she reads my letter. This kind of double standard could kill investment in passenger rail. Failing to invest now would be very short-sighted - which we also can't afford.
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