Mufi's train cost keeps escalating, like Denver's FasTracks

The price of Denver's FasTracks rail system is a lesson for Honolulu's taxpayers. FasTracks is already under construction.

Rail in Denver: “Build it no matter what it costs.”

Original estimated cost was $2.8 billion.

FasTracks price tag jumps, Jeffrey Leib, Denver Post, 8/21/08
Cost estimate is now $7.9 billion

RTD grilled on rising cost, Board members are upset with a $1.5 billion shortfall for FasTracks. Jeffrey Leib, Denver Post, 5/20/07
Cost estimate was $6.2 billion in May 2007

FasTracks budget off rails, RTD admits it can’t deliver the plan it promised voters,
Kevin Flynn, rocky Mountain News, 7/18/08
Approved by voters in 2004 at $4.7 billion. Project manager asks, "Why would we lowball it and not be able to deliver?"

The full Truth about FasTracks,
Randal O’Toole, Independence Institute, June 2004
FasTracks supporters tell voters that rail transit will reduce congestion, clean the air, and promote economic development. In reality, it won’t do any of these things; it will just waste at least $8.3 billion of the taxpayers’ money.

1 – FasTracks Will Waste Taxpayers’ Money
2 – RTD Has Understated FasTracks’ Cost
3 – FasTracks Won’t Relieve Congestion
4 – FasTracks Isn’t Fast
5 – FasTracks Will Not Be Built Under Budget
6 – FasTracks Will Pollute the Air
7 – FasTracks Won’t Help Low-Income People
8 – FasTracks Won’t Offer Worthwhile “Choices”
9 – FasTracks Will Harm Neighborhoods
10 – The Alternative to FasTracks
Date Sources for the FasTrack Index
The FasTracks Index: Facts people should know about RTD’s proposed 67-percent sales tax increase