Quote Originally Posted by ghettopalmetto View Post
Any reason why light rail couldn't be implemented under the auspices of say, a Regional Transit Authority? An RTA might even be able to *gasp* develop a long-term transit implementation plan that includes improvements in the suburban counties as well. Hell, if Virginia, Maryland, DC, and the federal government can make such an idea work across state lines....

Oh wait--that would just be a suburban power grab intended to disenfranchise Detroiters. Because we all know that the suburbanites want nothing more than to own DDOT's world-class bus system.
My expertise on this is limited, so I invite anyone to correct me if I'm wrong. I think the problem with LRT from the perspective of an RTA is that the upfront capital cost would be enormous. Far, far more than anything that we're getting from the feds. And given that the suburbs are already reluctant to subsidize operating costs with a regional tax, I don't think the political will exists to write the big check up front.