Rail System Cost Higher Today

An article in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin says additional costs to rail system pushes price up to $4.2 billion for the "short" 20 mile system. The added cost are for "capital costs including expanded bus systems". The mayor's report cost taxpayers $10 million.

Surely the cost to build the rail system will be closer and probably go beyond the $6 billion mark as published recently by the folks at HonoluluTraffic.com.

Rail is something the City & County of Honolulu cannot afford. It is something the taxpayers of Hawaii should not pay for (including neighbor island residents who will be hit by the additional GE Tax).

• Short Rail System to Cost $4.2B
• Full Cost of Rail Proposal is Staggering $6 Billion
• Total Cost of Rail Transit
• Rail! 'It's Now or Never' Mayor Says
• Lingle Says No New Taxes For Higher Transit Cost
  

Again: Do we need it? Can we afford it? Can we maintain it?