Rail plan cuts $4B cost, routes

The mayor's office has a proposal that would shorten projected transit lines

Mayor Mufi Hannemann's administration is looking at a shorter rail transit route to reduce a projected $4 billion cost, according to members of the City Council who have been briefed on the proposal.

Originally, the route was proposed to be 23 miles long and run from west of Kapolei town to the University of Hawaii-Manoa campus with a possible spur to Waikiki.

To save money, the start and the end of the route would change. Instead of beginning in Kapolei, the route would possibly start farther east at either the site of the proposed UH-West Oahu campus, which is just east of Kapolei town and along the future North-South Road, or at Leeward Community College.

The shortened route would end at downtown Honolulu, deleting the UH-Manoa and Waikiki ends.

Members of Mayor Mufi Hannemann's administration were not available to comment.

Councilmembers, however, cautioned that the exact route could change depending on the cost.

"As I understand what they're saying, they're looking at different points of what would make sense within the potential financial constraint," said Councilman Todd Apo, whose district includes Kapolei. "How far you get on the other end would depend on where you start. Different areas of that line are going to have different costs."

The City Council is slated to choose by the end of the year a mass-transit system from rail, dedicated toll lanes, an enhanced bus system or deciding to build nothing.

Administration officials have been briefing City Council members on the idea, which is getting mixed reactions so far.

Councilman Gary Okino said that if the route begins at the UH-West Oahu campus, he believes the rail line will still work.

"They figured that's a good segment because people have to come to (downtown), and it's close enough so people from Kapolei can get onto the system," Okino said. "I think it looks very good."

Okino said that the traffic jam caused by this week's freeway accident showed there is a need for rail.

"(The mayor) wants to show that he's serious about this no-frills just to get this thing done and to get something that works efficiently so people can really see the value. That seems to be what he wants to do," Okino said.

Other councilmembers expressed concerns, including what impact a shorter line will have on ridership.

"I was startled that the people who are doing the alternatives analysis (study) are looking at a $3 billion cap on spending rather than a system that will work for Oahu," Councilwoman Barbara Marshall said.

Councilman Charles Djou, who along with Marshall opposed the transit tax, said he gives the mayor credit for trying to control costs.

"I think that's a great thing in trying to hold down costs," said Djou, who represents Waikiki. "Obviously the concern here is that if the rail does not go out and connect UH, with all of the college students, and Waikiki, a major employment area of the state, and the west side with all of its growing communities, does that make sense?"

Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, Budget Committee chairwoman, said she was to be briefed by the administration today, but if officials are looking at a shorter route, she has many questions.

"Is it worth it to put in all the tracks and infrastructure for such a short route?" said Kobayashi, whose district includes Manoa. "What are we doing? Is it worth it if we're putting it in for just a few miles?"

Apo said that he is concerned about what it would mean for population growth and development on Oahu if the line did not extend as far west as possible, where growth is intended to go.

"If we're going to do something, this big bottom line, we have to do it right. If that means we need to find a way to fund more than where the numbers are falling right now ... then that's what we need to do," he said.

THE ROAD AHEAD » Mayor Mufi Hannemann's administration is analyzing four mass transit options -- rail, dedicated toll lanes, enhanced bus system and doing nothing -- and is expected to finish the study by Nov. 1 with a recommendation to the City Council. » The City Council is expected to choose one of the options by the end of the year. » A 0.5 percentage point increase to the 4 percent general excise tax to fund mass transit takes effect Jan. 1.