Passenger Rail isn't economical for St. Croix County

On September 4th, the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors will be considering a "RESOLUTION TO ADVOCATE FOR BUS, COMMUTER RAIL, AND HIGH SPEED RAIL TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS THROUGH ST. CROIX COUNTY"

I disagree that passenger rail is a good for St. Croix County. I am specifically referencing line 35 of the resolution. I have yet to see a passenger rail system that is more economical than bus service. Bus service is so much better than rail that it is used as the backup for rail!

Here are my comments that I sent to the Gateway Corridor Commission in March:

Why isn't there an option to just add rush hour buses from Hudson? It would be much cheaper without the extra lanes and it seems like the extra lanes wouldn't add much benefit (since buses can already drive on the shoulder. Outside of rush hour, I suspect there isn't enough demand. Looking at Metro-Transit route usage would provide a lot of proof on the approximate immediate needs.

I suggest something like the following:
One bus route that ends in St. Paul and another that ends in Minneapolis. The routes would be timed for commuters (west from 6-8 AM and east from 3-6 PM). Both routes would stop somewhere east of Hudson (exit 4 or 10), in Hudson, and appropriate stops between Hudson and County Road 13. If ridership warrants (full buses for limited routes), then there could be separate routes per start and end destination (i.e. one route that only stops in Hudson and Minneapolis) to decrease travel time. If park and ride lots are near, then limit each lot to one destination (every other lot only goes to Minneapolis and the others go to St. Paul).

Also, reduced transit time isn't the major benefit -- often mass transit takes a few more minutes. Major benefits of mass transit:

1. Save on parking, gas, wear and tear
2. Stress reduction (I don't even notice if the traffic is bad)
3. Extra time (read a book, play a game, take a nap, talk with friends)
4. The bus ride home can be a great time to recharge after a hard day at work so that I have more energy and less stress for the evening.

It is much easier to get incremental improvements in transit correct than to get huge changes in transit correct. Simple things like adding extra bus routes have a much higher chance of success than complex things like adding extra lanes or rail.

I live in Wilson, WI, and take Metro-Transit bus route 375.

Also, for line 22 of the resolution, St. Croix County isn't isolated because very little of the state is connected with alternative passenger transportation.