The problem with so many people when it comes to forward thinking projects such as light rail is that they only think of what is right in front of their noses. Come on folkls, look a little further. Look ahead to $6-8-10/gallon gasoline, to $50K average price for a car, 30 years from now. Even if we started seriously thinking about a full scale light rail system, it would be 10-15 years down the road before the first line were built. When people start howling about how behind the times OKC is because we have such poor public transportation, THAT is when the system should be available. Yes, public transportation is just like a highway, it is never going to fully pay for itself. THose of you who think differently can afford a car (or 2 or 3). Not every one can nor does every one want to drive. We drive in OKC because we HAVE to (unless you want to ride a bike or use the horribly substandard bus system). Think about someone beside yourself and think about what life will start to be like with $8/gallon gas. As for those who think it only benefits those who live near the line, just go look at the full park-and-ride lots in cities such as Dallas and Denver. Denver put the P & R's in some of the most inconvenient places, but they are still packed on weekdays. I ride it every day to work and I live about 2 miles from the line. It is wonderful. With OKC's growing downtown and the far flung suburbs of OKC, people who will commute will love light rail and it will only grow as it ages.
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