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Portland is a PR machine for light rail & streetcar

Here are Some Facts About Portland Oregon          

“It must always be remembered how cost-effectiveness works in the public sector: the cost IS the benefit.” - author unknown




Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, : Federal Subsidies to Passenger Transportation  Local Copy   

Related page:  mostly paid by user fees.













Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics: Federal Subsidies to Passenger Transportation  Local Copy

Related page:  mostly paid by user fees.


What if Roads Were highly Subsidised?


Transit is Hightly Subsidised, NOT highways 

One usually hears this claim as a criticism of driving and to imply the superiority of transit. But:


1) But what if roads were subsidized? Roads are used by everyone (they even had roads before cars!), so it is really a case of user pays. Very fair.

2) Fact is that transit is highly subsidised by the majority of the taxpayers for a small minority of people who actually use transit. Not a case of user pays. Not very fair.

Of course, roads costs are mostly paid by user fees.