[been_lurking]

With the JPA running things they’re now recapturing 40% of costs in fares

So the taxpayers cover 60% of the cost.

How can you call that financially sound?

[MeganC]

Where the bill for expanding I-80 ($7 billion in 1989 dollars) was coming out of California transportation funds and the rail subsidies were, too, the rail proposal was considered a net-savings to the California taxpayer with only 12% of the costs recaptured at the fare box.

Instead, it’s recapturing 40% of costs at the fare box which is then a net savings against the alternatives. Widening I-80 today would cost $12 billion to do the same thing that the trains did for only $23 million last year.