Public Transportation and Smart Growth

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan campaigned on cutting costs. Since taking office, however, he's expressed interest in throwing big money at numerous transportation programs—just not the transit lines that actually work and which businesses and residents want. His latest big spending idea: A $10 billion maglev between DC and Baltimore. . .

But it's hard to make the case that maglev is a better investment than the raft of projects already in the pipeline.

The obvious big ones are the Purple Line and Baltimore Red Line, which Hogan has said are "too expensive." His administration has dismissed studies that purport to show big economic benefits from building the Purple Line, instead focusing entirely on the cost.

But you can't focus on the cost of the Purple Line and not the cost of a maglev. This graph shows the amount Maryland, counties, and the private sector would all have to pay to build the Purple Line, not counting federal money already pledged and money already spent. On the right is the expected maglev cost.

http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/27001/marylands-governor-thinks-the-purple-line-is-too-expensive-but-wants-to-build-a-10-billion-maglev-/

OK, I'm outta here, going to drive on MD suburban roads, DC beltway, and MD state roads to southern MARYLAND.

ENOUGH of this 'governor.'