Lawmakers not surprised by steel wheel pick

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Now that an expert panel has suggested the technology for Honolulu's $3.8 billion mass transit system, it is up to the City Council to decide whether to move forward with the steel-wheel-on-steel-track train proposal.

Reaction among councilmembers to yesterday's decision by the Independent Technology Selection Panel was mixed, with concerns raised about costs, reliability and transparency in the selection process.

"I don't think the decision was a surprise, because I think we've seen nationwide and worldwide that steel rail systems are really what's been successful and what's been useful," said Councilman Todd Apo, the Council's budget chairman. "The point I heard them all make today is we need to focus on cost and reliability because we can't build a failed system."

Transportation Chairman Nestor Garcia said he trusts the decision from the panel and is looking forward to further discussions. Council Chairwoman Barbara Marshall, an opponent of the mass transit project, said she also looks forward to questioning members of the expert panel.

"To some degree it doesn't really matter what technology it is because I don't think we should build the project," Marshall said. "For me the selection of steel on steel, I don't think it was a surprise, but I'm not prepared to say it's horrible or it's wonderful."

Other options the technology panel considered were rubber-tire-on-concrete systems, monorail, magnetic levitation and specialized trail control systems.

Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, a critic of rail, said she will continue to push for other options, particularly a rubber-tire-on-concrete bus system.

"It's less than half the cost, and it's more practical," Kobayashi said, noting that the Council still reserves the right to make the ultimate selection.

Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz, who fought to have the expert panel's meetings open to the public, criticized the decision as "predetermined," with little public input.

"The mayor had already publicly stated before, on countless occasions, that that was his choice," Dela Cruz said. "I guess, come hell or high water, that's what's happening.

"They only met twice," he said of the panel. "There was very little public discussion over the pros and cons of each technology. I think it would be hard to believe that it was transparent process."

The panel, which was approved by the City Council, had been criticized by some for being composed primarily of rail experts.

Panel Chairman Ron Tober denied that the outcome was predetermined.

"No one told us what the answer to the question was," Tober said at a news conference. "We were told that we needed to take an independent look at this, and that's what we've done.

"There's no personal gain for any of us. No one instructed us what to choose."

Still, Kobayashi and Dela Cruz, along with Councilmen Charles Djou and Romy Cachola, introduced resolutions yesterday aimed at providing the Council and the public with more information on what specifications will be required for projects related to the transit system.

State lawmakers, who had first feared the city was not moving quickly enough to build the transit system, said they were pleased with the decision because it signifies progress.

"Congratulations to them. I think the process worked and they picked a technology, and now they can move ahead," said Sen. J. Kalani English, transportation chairman.

"If they came to an agreement with the technology and the administration and the Council are on the same page, then there shouldn't be impediments to moving it ahead," English (D, East Maui-Lanai-Molokai) added.

His House counterpart, Rep. Joe Souki (D, Waihee-Wailuku), said he had no objections to the decision.

"They supposedly had a bunch of experts selecting, so who am I to doubt those wise sages?" he said.

Lawmakers, who in 2005 added a half-percentage-point surcharge to the general excise tax on Oahu to help pay for the transit system, had considered a measure this year to suspend the surcharge unless the city met certain deadlines. The measure died in committee.

Senate President Colleen Hanabusa said a steel system will be expensive.

"The cost of construction is always dwarfed by the operation and maintenance of a steel system," said Hanabusa (D, Nanakuli-Makua). "I would be very interested in knowing if the GET increase is to be extended for the life of the system.

"I don't know if the Legislature will have to do something. My question is, How are they going to pay for it?"

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Chairman

RON TOBER

Independent Technology Selection Panel chairman, selected by the four other panelists
» Bio: Former general manager and chief executive officer of rail transit operating authorities in Cleveland, Seattle and Charlotte, N.C.
» Voted for: Steel wheel on steel rail
» Quote: "We're not going to eliminate traffic congestion by any of these alternatives, including the managed-lanes alternative. We can do some things to reduce the growth in future traffic congestion or allow it to continue to grow at the rate that it has in the past."

Member

STEVE BARSONY

Selected by City Council Transportation Committee Chairman Nestor Garcia
» Bio: Retired director of the Federal Transit Administration's Office of Engineering
» Voted for: Steel wheel on steel rail
» Quote: "The cost will always have to be subsidized to some degree. The point is to minimize it. In my mind there is no question steel rail on steel wheel will be the most advantageous and most reliable for Honolulu."

Member

HENRY KOLESAR

Selected by Mayor Mufi Hannemann
» Bio: Group manager for vehicle engineering with the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District
» Voted for: Steel wheel on steel rail
» Quote: "If we were to select something that is widely available, it's not only competitive initially, it's competitive in the long term. Honolulu, I'm sure, will be expanding their system, and sticking with the low-risk, proven technology is in the best interest of Honolulu."

Member

KENNETH KNIGHT

Selected by Mayor Mufi Hannemann
» Bio: Consultant, deputy project manager for the Washington, D.C., Metro system
» Voted for: Steel wheel on steel rail
» Quote: "Once you get a system in here, if it's not reliable, the ones that are going to hear about it is the politicians. You have a better chance because of the technology to get that successful result. The other ones aren't as reliable."

Member

PANOS PREVEDOUROS

Selected by City Council Chairwoman Barbara Marshall
» Bio: University of Hawaii-Manoa engineering professor
» Voted for: Rubber-tire vehicle on managed lanes (not one of the city's options); second choice was rubber tire on concrete
» Quote: "We are civil engineers. We have an ethical responsibility to solve the problems in our community. Steel wheel on steel rail is the worst medicine for congestion. I cannot believe my fellow panelists would recommend this as a remedy for our city's biggest problem."