Columbus — Rail in Jeopardy

Rail Transit Online, July 2006

The latest plan to bring rail transit to Columbus likely will be abandoned because the proposal would not qualify for federal funding.  Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) President William Lhota plans to hold public hearings on light rail, streetcar and bus rapid transit alternatives before making a final recommendation to the COTA board.  “At this time, based on everything that we know, it is our plan in July to recommend to the board that we not proceed any further,” Lhota told The Columbus Dispatch.  The agency began new rapid transit efforts in 2002, three years after voters rejected a sales tax increase to pay the local share of a multi-line commuter rail network.  Preliminary engineering and environmental studies have been completed for a 13-mi. (20.9 km) north-south light rail line between downtown Columbus and suburban Polaris.  That plan was expanded to include streetcars and BRT.  But Lhota says none of the three technologies would meet the FTA’s cost-effective index of no more than $23 per passenger based on ridership, travel time reduction and how many dollars would be spent to provide each hour of time savings.  LRT or streetcar would cost an estimated $510 million to $640 million and would generate between 9,000 and 18,000 weekday boardings.  Under the federal guidelines, their cost index would range from $60 to $100 per passenger.  The BRT index, with 6,000 to 9,000 riders, would be $35 to $45 per passenger.  “The FTA approval process is complicated and, from my perspective, has always been a moving target,” COTA board chairman Bill Porter told The Columbus Dispatch.  “While this is a disappointment to the short-term future of alternative modes of transportation in central Ohio, it does not mean that light rail, streetcars or bus rapid transit will never be a reality in our community.”  COTA still plans to ask voters this November for a tax-levy increase that could be used for either a new rail system or improved bus service.