Copyright 2000 The Atlanta Constitution
The Atlanta
Journal and Constitution
December 12, 2000, Tuesday, Final Edition
SECTION: Editorial; Pg. 20A
LENGTH: 593 words
HEADLINE:
Projected rail cost a real eye-opener
BYLINE: Staff
SOURCE: JOURNAL
BODY:
CONSULTANTS HIRED by the state to analyze the possibility of running
commuter rail service from Atlanta to Athens and Macon brought
reality to the table last week. Several possible routes were struck from
consideration because of exorbitant costs.
The Georgia Rail Consultants
recommended that the state not consider rail lines in corridors requiring
expensive right-of-way purchase or laying track in areas not already used by
freight lines. A line to Athens along Ga. 316, for example,
could cost at least $ 1.6 billion; a line to Macon, along undeveloped land
between Griffin and Macon, could cost $ 2.3 billion. But the consultants did not
rule out the possibility of using Norfolk- Southern and CSX freight corridors to
each city by upgrading existing track or building parallel lines. Current
estimates are that a line along the CSX rail bed to Athens would cost about $
316 million and to Macon --- along Norfolk Southern land --- about $ 290
million.
Although the most expensive options are being discarded,
cost-benefit is still an important factor before other impacts --- environmental
or neighborhood, for example --- are considered.
If we're not careful,
taxpayers could be on the hook for an enormously expensive service that attracts
few riders. Money spent on the wrong solution comes at the expense of something
more promising.
Another concern we have is that Georgians could wind up
footing the bill to upgrade the assets of a private-sector company, which would
amount to a gift to private railroads --- particularly if the commuter rail
concept fails.
The public should not be investing big bucks without
demonstrated cost- benefit advantages and proof of a substantial market.
Which leads us to Gov. Roy Barnes. Last week he commented on the need to
proceed with transit investments step by step, using HOV lanes and buses as an
initial investment. "It comes in stages," Barnes said.
Which is probably
why the Georgia Rail Consultants and state officials considering commuter rail
are now talking more favorably about the possibility of trying express bus
service to Athens and Macon to first prove a market. "I think you may go to
buses for a number of years before you go to rail," said Walter "Sonny" Deriso,
vice chairman of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and a member of
the state team examining commuter rail.
That's good. If the threshold is
crossed proving a need for any kind of mass transit, then the bus option should
be explored first. Not only is bus service cheaper, but it is also more
flexible, and routes could be changed based on demand. That, by far, is a more
economical experiment than an investment in permanent rail. If a market is
demonstrated, rail would become a more rational investment.
No decision
on proceeding with commuter rail or bus service is expected until sometime next
year, after an independent analysis of freight movement is completed in the
region. That will include analyzing the potential of more truck traffic on the
highways if passenger trains run on freight lines.
Until then, we urge
state officials to insist the consultants produce accurate projections of
ridership for all the remaining options. This would include asking those
surveyed if they work in downtown Atlanta, how frequently they go there, how
long they would wait for a train, how much time would they sacrifice to ride a
train, how many additional trips they make during the workday, etc. State
officials are obligated to get this right to keep from creating a white
elephant.
LOAD-DATE: December 12, 2000
