[PRCo] Is there really a good Transit System?

[AProchek at aol.com]

Down here in Houston TX there is talk of putting a light rail system in the middle of a major freeway expansion project.  The conservatives are up in arms over it, saying that it costs a fortune, takes up valuable driving lanes, and "show me one other city like Houston that has a successful rail progam.  LA had to cancel their's because it was bankrupting them".  Now is this true?  I believe he must have meant LA suspended expansion of some line, not cancellation of the whole system.  Pittsburgh is not like Houston but how's Portand doing?  BTW the freeway expansion without light rail calls for 22 lanes.  That should be pretty.
I found it amusing that one caller was grousing that the city of Houston cut a bus park and ride program as a way to strongarm the voters of the city of Katy (where the rail would go) to vote for the Light rail.  So in effect he was mad that they cancelled a park and ride program, but didn't want rail which is just a very efficient park and ride program.