MetroLink to test one-car trains in St. Louis. So far, most riders aren’t on board:
The company that runs St. Louis’ light rail system is considering cutting the size of its trains in half — from two MetroLink cars to just one.
Bi-State Development said this would cut costs, increase sustainability and extend the life of its vehicles. The agency estimates running one-car trains could cut $800,000 to $4.8 million in maintenance costs every year, saving taxpayers money.
Bi-State Board Chairman Debra Moore said fewer cars could also make it easier for police to patrol MetroLink.
“I think that will greatly add to the frequency of ridership — it would increase because people will feel safer,” she said.
Of course, the article goes at great lengths to say that the (few) people who ride it would prefer the two car trains so that they have more room and don’t have to be crushed against the other (few) riders and to say that Metrolink is going to expand its lines so that it can take a few people farther.
Never questioned is “Why light rail?” Because something something Europe has trains, romance of the rails, and now sunk cost fallacy would be the answer.
