The whole intent of the rail systems, whether it is lite rail or California’s high-speed rail is to transfer taxpayer money to favored Democrat controlled enterprises through which it is laundered back into Democrat coffers.
And it has been fabulously successful at that.
Actually getting something useful built was never part of the plan.
Not just rails and not just Dems, all politicians throw taxpayer money at public works for union votes and donations from the engineers and other companies that get the contracts. and, most of these "public works" are either unnecessary or over priced.
The way I figured it was if your going to spend that kind of money. Build something that is different. Like a elevated monorail system. That way you don’t have to buy up all this valuable property and displace so many people.. Nope they built a ground place rail system instead of a elevated monorail. Also they built the rail system elevated where property values were cheaper and less populated..