20 Minute Commutes


The Wall Street Journal reports that Columbus, OH, Memphis, TN., and Milwaukee. WI have some of the fastest commutes, about 22 minutes one way: The Cities With the Fastest Car Commutes

Ten years ago I had a similar plan for Honolulu! But its political leaders insisted on using 19th century technology and have been trying to plan-design-construct an elevated steel-wheel on steel-rail electric train since ... 2006.  After spending well over $10 billion only half of the 20 promised miles were opened in 2023 to abysmal ridership.  The forecast for the 20 mile line was for 105,000 daily boardings. The 10 mile line has a daily ridership below 5,000!

The HART rail is located on Oahu in greater Honolulu area. If you thought that 105,000 trips a day is a big deal, you'd be wrong. About 4 million trips occur on Oahu every day. With the best conditions possible, HART rail will relieve traffic congestion by about 2%.  How about it... $16 billion of wasted public monies for a 2% improvement!  Guiness Record for infrastructure boondoggle.


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