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New mass transit
system is essential
for traversable Oahu

THE ISSUE The City Council is considering a vote on final approval of funding for a mass-transit system.

CITY Council members are to cast the final vote tomorrow on financing of a mass transit system from downtown to Kapolei. Approval of the system would be a landmark event to result in making Honolulu more livable in the future. The Council should not be intimidated by a vocal minority opposed to any increase of any tax for any purpose.

Rail transit has been proposed for Oahu for decades but was rejected in 1982 and again in 1992, when then-Councilwoman Rene Mansho cast the swing vote, explaining that she "didn't fully understand" it. Thirteen years has resulted in greater appreciation of the need to deal with increased rush-hour traffic.

A new transit line, most likely rail, is expected to cost $2.6 billion, including help from the federal government. Oahu's excise tax would rise to 4.5 percent from 4 percent, amounting to a yearly tax of $245 for an average family of four, according to the House Finance Committee. Naysayers maintain the tax hit will be nearly twice that amount.

The alternative proposed by opponents are high-occupancy toll, or HOTLanes -- a two-lane reversible tollway between Honolulu and the Waikele area. Such a tollway could cost even more than a rail system, and the New York Times says such a toll can range from $1 to $8 each way, depending on the amount of congestion. Mayor Hannemann accurately describes it as "a luxury lane reserved for those who can afford it."

Opponents also contend the Council should not fund a rail system because no "plan" for one exists. That is a red herring. The plan is for the system to run between Honolulu and Kapolei, with hub-and-spoke bus systems feeding commuters into transit centers. Once the Council gives its approval, initial work will be aimed at refining the plan.

As noted by Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz on yesterday's Commentary page, the Council is working with the city transit department on a basic blueprint. The Council will be called upon to approve the system's overall design before construction can go forward.

In a last-minute flurry, opponents have pointed to financial problems of a 14-mile Seattle monorail project that documents show could cost $11 billion, more than triple the original cost. While construction costs are 20 percent more than expected, revenue from motor-vehicle taxes is less than projected. Higher interest rates on unconventional financing plans to fill the gap are blamed for the enormous cost increase. Honolulu can and should avoid such pitfalls.

A rail system is not a silver bullet. The city is planning a commuter ferry system connecting harbors of Kalaeloa and Honolulu as early as next year. Road improvements also are needed. But rail is a critical ingredient for the island to become reasonably traversable in the decades ahead.

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