Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.latimes.metro From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: New Metrolink Commuter Trains Date: Tue, 10 Nov 92 06:59:04 EST Message-ID: HEADLINE: New Metrolink Commuter Trains Publication Date: Monday November 9, 1992 BYLINE: When the true cost of taxpayer-subsidized commuter rail is compared with the personal cost of the private automobile, the auto wins hands down. The private car when used for commuting costs approximately 39 cents per mile, about $18 for the 46-mile round trip from Moorpark. The true cost of our multi-county boondoggle, Metrolink, round trip from Moorpark is $3.26 per mile or $150 per day of which the commuter pays only 10% or $14. This makes the present true cost of commuter trains in excess of $37,000 per year for each commuter just from Moorpark. Even the lowest fare of $3.50 requires the taxpayer to cough up an additional $32 in subsidies. The 40% return in fares as mandated by state legislation for the third year of operation will never happen. When CalTrain from San Jose to San Francisco ran into this predicament, a "special law" was passed that "allowed" (forced) the adjoining counties to raise taxes that would make up the 28% difference! Let riders pay the true cost of rail and they will scamper back to their cars. HUGH BROESAMLE Costa Mesa This article is copyright 1992 The Los Angeles Times Home Edition. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM