Take time in picking best transit option

THE ISSUE The City Council might put off decisions on a transit plan until spring.

THE City Council is tapping the brakes on decisions for a transit plan, a sensible move considering the choices will have huge effects on Honolulu for decades to come.

Because city residents and businesses will be paying a tax increase to finance transit come January, the Council wanted to pick an option before then.

Still, taxpayers would be better served by deliberate, prudent judgment rather than one made in haste and the Council should be willing to set aside its self- imposed deadline in order to do that.

On Wednesday, the city administration is expected to present the Council with its analysis of transit proposals, which will include a financial plan, cost-benefit ratios for each of the options -- no-build, an expanded bus system, managed lanes and rail transit -- as well as possible routes and stations. Though there will be information about possible environmental effects, the short preparation period did not allow time for a draft environmental impact statement, which is permissible under federal rules.

The administration will make a recommendation separate from the analysis it presents this week and in all likelihood, it will propose rail, which also appears to be the leading choice of most Council members.

Several members will be traveling to mainland cities next month to talk with federal transportation officials and to look over rail and high-occupancy toll systems, keeping their minds open to what may best fit Honolulu.

A rail system might be appealing, but Council members should make sure they examine closely less flashy alternatives, such as biodiesel buses and privately built toll roads. Taxpayers won't mind if officials get off the fast track for a short time, but they will object if poor choices are made.