Vancouverites take note: a major city has blown up its light rail plans. Detroit looked at light rail and found it too expensive. Motown, with its hollowed out core and 62% of the impoverished reliant upon public transit, has chosen a rapid bus system instead of building a slo mo version of 8 mile.
From the Free Press:

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told Detroit Mayor Dave Bing that doubts that Detroit could pay operating costs over the long term for the light-rail line because of its and the state’s financial problems swayed him against the plan. The decision came despite earlier public support that included LaHood’s 2010 visit to Detroit to award a $25-million grant to get the project moving.

Poor leadership, poor transit and the attempt to kill the auto industry –all under Democrats–have left the Motor City residents desperate for ways to get to their suburban jobs. As mentioned above, many people are reliant on the subsidized elevated train and overworked bus system. A so called “People Mover” choo choo is neither and has been nothing but a waste of money.

The light rail price tag started at $600 million. It wouldn’t have ended there as we all know.

Detroit was built for cars. As discussed here and here, cars are the key way that people can hold onto their jobs. Between the obliteration of the auto industry–and jobs, crime rail, and corrupt spending practices, Motown residents have been ill served by their so called leadership but at least they got this one right.