Rail will use more energy than buses or autos

From HonoluluTraffic.com

We have documented precisely why rail will be an energy hog although it is not for those who glaze over after the third number. But it is a fascinating story of elevated rail, in practice, having very high energy use, TheBus being one of the more energy efficient systems in the nation and autos rapidly declining energy use. In short, it is a story of 40 years ago rail was the low energy user and today it has morphed into being a relatively high energy user. It is a worth while read.

Here's the link: Honolulu’s rail line will use more energy than buses or autos

The Porter Report:

This is a realistic appraisal of the City's financial plans, if somewhat too positive about the rail project's prospects. However, you will read some excerpts such as, "At this time, there is no additional capacity in the Project financing plan to fund Project cost increases or to mitigate other adverse events. Cash balances are minimal and debt service coverage is low." Or another, "The City provides highly-utilized transit services, but experienced high growth in locally-funded subsidies (10.9 percent annually, 2005-2010), and has not kept up with fleet replacement needs, indicated by an average bus fleet age of 10.2 years."

LINK: FULL TEXT The Porter Report

Seems that HART has no allowance for transit police:

Two more concerns in the Report of the Project Management Oversight Contractor concerns security and fare evasion, we quote it as follows:

"It is notable, and of no small concern, that neither the grantee’s specifications nor AJHV’s [Ansaldo's] proposal specifically mention the essential fare inspection/enforcement role that is critical to stem fare evasion with the proof of payment fare regime. Fare inspection/enforcement in NOT included in the steward’s job description. It is implied that fare inspection and enforcement may be handled by the municipal police force.” (pp. 57-8)

“The grantee’s specifications imply that the grantee will be responsible for crime fighting and fare enforcement. Staffing levels for that function are indentified in the grantee’s plans. The grantee should not underestimate the staffing and diligence necessary to administer an defective fare-evasion prevention program.” p. 68.