Ten myths about US urban rail systems

The proponents of rail transit have promulgated a set of stock arguments to help convince officials and the electorate that rail transit is a necessary component of a contemporary urban transportation system. These myths have gradually bored their way into conventional wisdom. We examine and dispel the following rail myths: (1) rail is cost-effective, (2) rail is the people's choice, (3) rail is fast transit, (4) rail is high capacity transit, (5) rail construction provides jobs, (6) rail promotes superior urban form, (7) rail will be paid for with non-local funds that cannot be used for other purposes, (8) rail will attract new riders to transit, (9) rail will decongest roads, and (10) there are no alternatives to rail.