Expert touts rail's side benefits - Hawaii News

I've ridden on most all the major mass transit systems in the US and I'm thrilled the voters said YES and I'm also happy it's elevated.

It's about time we took the leap that Rene Mansho prevented back years ago due to her being bribed.

Plus the jobs it will add right now when we need them will be a big bonus!

don't forget that the city can move the homeless to live under the elevated rail system.

The Honolulu system might reach 40 mph; however, its average speed (based on 20 miles in 42 minutes) will be 28.5 mph. Mr. Simonetta specifically stated that the Phoenix system averaged 18-19 mph, including stops, so it also can reach higher speeds. IT IS, HOWEVER, THE AVERAGE SPEED THAT COUNTS. At the moment, the city indicates no plans for express service.

Oh goodie...more business that can fail when the economy tanks.

Add on to that even MORE development....subsidized by the taxpayers.

The train is NOT needed and is way to expensive...period.

If we can scare away SuperFerry, prevent rail, and show we can't support Aloha Airlines, it's a VERY good thing that we didn't use the Falls of Clyde for a reef--it'll be our only transportation option soon! Au'e!

Ian Mulcahey, a lead planner for the London-based firm Gensler. "It will enable the city to grow."
Hey Ian-how does a small island grow when it's already overcrowded?

business will grow Southern California style
the fabric of Hawaii will continue to be lost

rule follower wrote:

I've ridden on most all the major mass transit systems in the US and I'm thrilled the voters said YES and I'm also happy it's elevated.
It's about time we took the leap that Rene Mansho prevented back years ago due to her being bribed.
Plus the jobs it will add right now when we need them will be a big bonus!

First of all we didn't vote for it. The question on the ballot was who will manage this project. This was already a given and were brainwashed that the people overwhelmingly approved it! Second they say that businesses along the line will benefit while at the same time they bought out existing businesses to built the rail. Third, I keep hearing that the city was short of funds for city services while at the same time spending millions of dollars to buy out properties under imminent domain. Sometimes you have to stop, step back, take a deep breath and look at the whole picture then you'll see the truth. I hate to say it but people love their cars and it'll take a great deal to pry their fingers off the steering wheel. Los Angeles for example has an underground rail system but still has major traffic congestion around the downtown area and it's periphery. It's said that this project will create jobs but it'll be more for a select group of people such as construction workers. The Union will demand more pay for it's workers and will threaten with strikes which will result in increased costs. I hate to say this but compared to the mainland our construction performance is rather pathetic. Mainland construction is speedier than ours while here it drags and drags. Be prepared for shelling extra dollars for unforeseen problems.

I have to agree with Kanehi. Hawaii projects ALWAYS cost way more than they should, take longer, and need more maintenance. A big ugly chain of concrete for the few people that may ride it and enjoy the wonderful elevated view. Fix the sewers and the power grid, then you can play with trains.

Well let's see! We're paying a company millions upon millions to plan this elevated rail line. Now you would think for that kind of money, they would get it right the first time out. The reason this State continually has over-budget, cost overrun projects is due to what's called "change orders." These are changes that are made after all those millions have been spent to plan the project. A good example would be the Kalaheo Avenue sewer project in Kailua. Originally budgeted at $19 MILLION dollars, it was completed in 2008 at a cost of $75 MILLION dollars.

I wonder how much Mufi and the unions paid to have this load of shibai put out? No way did this jut come out on by itself. Truth be told Mufi knows his Choo Choo is in major financial trouble plus the cracks in the foundation are becoming a bottomless crevasse. We still have time to shelve this construction nightmare.

Why is it that the Mayor only invited pro railers to his symposium. I guess he doesn't want the public to hear from cities and experts who might not paint such a rosy picture.
And who is footing the bill for this symposium, including airfare and lodging. Are we paying honorariums to the speakers. Is that coming from the pot of money that was collected otensibly to build the project.

@kanehi, Yes, we did vote on it. Obviously, you didn't and didn't even know the ballot question. It asked voters to decide if they support a steel wheels on steel rail transit system. Doesn't get much clearer than that. It had NOTHING to do with who runs the system. The rest of your post is equally uninformed.

You should have gone to the rail transit symposium mentioned in the article. You would have learned your claims are baseless.

Because God knows we need more growth and development here on Oahu.

The article is a lot of baloney. First of all, the people of Oahu were never given the opportunity to say NO to rail. Travel time from Kapolei most likely will be 90 minutes because it would be dangerous to public safety for trains on an elevated platform to run at high speed. This talk of increased business along the train route is just reckless talk because there won't be enough affluent riders to encourge the successful running of a business. Anybody seen business booming around the Waipahu bus station where lots of bus riders congregate? The cost to taxpayers does not warrant this wasteful spending on an obsolete mass transit system Oahu does not need.

The train will not get you any faster than driving your car with all the stops along the way. If the drivers here were educated in how to use the freeway lanes, the traffic would flow real smoothly. If you drove on the mainland, the left lanes are for long distance driving, not going two miles and looking for an off ramp.

Wow, I'm just dazzled again by "The Mufster's Traveling Side-Show!" Another "Expert"--at our expense-- with a well written script, and we also paid for the script writer too... The most amazing thing of all is how so many IGNORANT LOCALS continue to follow "The Pied Piper of Shibai!" I guess Mufi's COUSINS keep these constituents in cash-flow from a variety of nefarious employments; as they all seem to be driving very expensive--well trimmed--vehicles and wearing expensive new clothes, and live in valuable homes.., but none of them can read or write... Very curious.., indeed...

local wrote:

The train will not get you any faster than driving your car with all the stops along the way. If the drivers here were educated in how to use the freeway lanes, the traffic would flow real smoothly. If you drove on the mainland, the left lanes are for long distance driving, not going two miles and looking for an off ramp.

Very accurate and astute.., and, more importantly it takes AWARENESS and a WILLINGNESS "to be part of the SOLUTION," as opposed to "a part of the PROBLEM," and "THE LOCAL CITIZENS" of OAHU are far too selfish, self-centered, and ruthless to want to participate in the solution... It's part and parcel of the ASIAN MENTALITY--"DOG EAT DOG!" That's why the majority of the Local Oahu Population is now FILIPINO... THEY DON'T CARE!!

I wonder how much that cute little rail model cost us? Doesn't moofi just look so happy with it. Like a little kid at xmas.

I've taken advantage of rail in Mainland cities I have visited and have no dought that rail will prove to be a huge benefit to Honolulu.

HOWEVER, starting out in Kapolei makes absolutely NO SENSE to me. We will not have the ridership necessary to support the annual operating and maintenance costs. If the symposium addressed this issue, why isn't the media reporting this?