Ken Orski, publisher of Innovation Briefs, makes the case that the era of massive federal funding for system-building investments in urban rail transit is coming to an end. Rail transit funding will continue, he writes, but “it will shift to incrementally expanding existing rail networks and commuter rail services rather than embarking on construction of brand new rail transit systems.” Writes Orski:
After 30 years of sustained federal investment in urban rail systems— an investment program that resulted in the construction of 22 new light rail systems and 5 new heavy rail systems— the New Starts program is beginning to run out of cities that can afford or justify cost-effective rail transit investment. Norfolk, VA, has been the only new urban area to have joined the “club” of rail cities in recent years.