Our missing mobility piece is commuter rail By REP. JOHN CULBERSON Houston

[JeffreyS]

Interesting read excerpted from the Houston Chronicle.

Since voters approved the Metro Solutions plan in 2003, Metro has switched modes from light rail, to bus rapid transit, back to light rail. This frequent and sudden gear shifting has thoroughly confused the public, elected officials, and now the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as evidenced by their recent response letter to Metro President Frank Wilson.
Whole story http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/5381466.html

[Lunican]

Here is an interesting quote:

Cynics complain that Houston is years behind other cities in the development of our transit system because voters didn't approve a light rail plan until 2003, but we have had the benefit of learning from the transit successes and failures of other major cities.

When it comes to falling behind, Jacksonville is now in a league of its own. Not only are we behind, but we are striving to emulate the transit failures of other cities.

[JeffreyS]

I could hardly believe it when I read this. It is a cautionary tale of a city who now has to pay twice for their transit system. I do not want to pay twice.

[JaxNole]

Along the same lines, the longer we wait to act intelligently, the higher the cost.

Mayor Peyton, as a businessman, should understand the present value of a dollar is more than the future value of a dollar.

And who thought waiting years to construct the courthouse would be comprised of only fixed costs as evidenced by inaction?  Only someone who hasn't successfully completed a basic accounting or finance course.