LIGHT RAIL: ‘Early acquisitions’ including three West Seattle properties are up for Sound Transit Board vote Thursday

| Sound Transit | West Seattle news

The Sound Transit Board is still months away from a final routing decision for the West Seattle light-rail extension. But it’s scheduled to vote Thursday on 25 “early acquisitions” of property already considered necessary for the project. 22 of them are in SODO – including three that are deemed necessary for both the West Seattle and Ballard extensions – and the other three are in West Seattle. Sound Transit had said two years ago, as we reported here, that it might need “early property acquisitions,” likely for “a small subset of critical properties.” The three West Seattle parcels in the early-acquisition motion going to the board are:

-Parcel # 7666703290 at 3800 West Marginal Way SW, the Riverside Mill site (per King County, 269,452 square feet, currently valued at $14.5 million)

-Parcel # 7666704005 at 2414 SW Andover, the Frye Commerce Center (home to multiple businesses including Alki Beach Academy [added] plus PNTA, Uptown Espresso, Delridge Deli Mart, among others) – 191,113 square feet, currently valued at $17.4 million)

-Parcel # 9358000465 on the northwest corner of 28th/Yancy (described as “vacant” – 10,000 square feet, currently valued at $357,000)

The motion seeking authorization to acquire those properties notes, “The early acquisitions will not limit the Board’s final choice of alternatives for either project.” But it also says this authorization would include approval to acquire the 25 properties through “eminent domain” if necessary: “Condemnation will be initiated should negotiations between Sound Transit and the property owners reach an impasse.” We’ve noted the West Seattle parcels’ valuations above, but the ST document says they won’t be talking dollars in open session: “In accordance with Sound Transit policy, budgets for specific parcels will be discussed with the Board in the executive session.” According to the document, the owners have all been notified of the acquisition plan, including letters sent by certified mail three weeks ago. Thursday’s 1:30 pm meeting includes a public-comment period as usual, either in person downtown or remotely, as explained on the agenda.

Seth March 26, 2024 (7:17 pm)

Does the commerce center include Skylark and ounces??

WSB March 26, 2024 (7:59 pm)

No; the center is directly west and downhill from Ounces, Mode, and Skylark – but as I’m sure you know those are among the other businesses in the area in the footprint of what’s currently the ST “preferred alternative” station location.

Jim March 26, 2024 (7:23 pm)

Defund sound transit

Derek March 26, 2024 (8:00 pm)

Ok troll. Gonna litter the place with fearmongering flyers again?
No March 26, 2024 (8:10 pm)

No
Bus March 26, 2024 (8:25 pm)

Defund Jim.

TJ March 26, 2024 (8:14 pm)

Light rail is a jobs program handout to the trades, all while being a monstrous blight to West Seattle that will displace lots of businesses and housing. No matter what some people seem to think that we are heading to some climate driven dystopian apocalyptic future where cars have no place, they aren’t going anywhere. It would all be comical without a $54 billion price tag for ST3.

MyVoteCountsToo March 26, 2024 (9:17 pm)

Not sure why you are bringing the climate into this, Seattle should have funded mass transit back in the early 70’s when it would have been a lot cheaper. Good on the citizenry for finally stepping up and doing it and happy to be one of the votes that approved it.
- platypus March 27, 2024 (12:09 pm)
  
  Every city needs to efficiently move it citizens around. The more people you have the more density your transportation modes need to handle. Seattle is a very big city. Nothing is better than rail, in its various flavors, of moving a lot of people to a lot of places. Light rail is a must have and like myvotecountstoo said, we are decades late. We are playing catch up and can’t do it fast enough. Yes there will be climate impacts, yes there will be real estate impacts. The future wont look like the past.
Rick_WS March 26, 2024 (9:45 pm)

Sums it up pretty well.

Bus rider March 26, 2024 (8:49 pm)

ONLY three properties being claimed – but how many businesses will have to close because they cannot afford to locate here in West Seattle? Eight? Frye owns the property under Alki Beach Academy, Ounces, Uptown Espresso, Pacific Northwest Theatre Association, Sound Physical Therapy, Subway, and Delridge Deli Mart. Frye properties gets paid fair market value for the land – and gets rid of aging buildings. Business owners get a dime on the dollar – and West Seattle pays $4 BILLION for a light rail that in ten years will take us only to SODO. We also get 6-8 years of traffic disruption along Fauntleroy, 35th Ave SW, and Avalon Way SW. Remember when it was the bridge was down?

WSB March 26, 2024 (9:58 pm)

Yes, I need to add a few more names there. Documents on the Ounces site suggests different ownership, at least looking two layers down…
Bus March 27, 2024 (7:14 am)

Around four THOUSAND businesses were displaced, along with tend of thousands of residences, in order to run I-5 through downtown Seattle. No one is excited about displacing businesses and people, but doubling down on cars and car infrastructure will displace far, far more. There is no displacement-free option. Supply and demand is what makes housing and commercial rent affordable, so advocating for additional building with commercial space is the best way to help the displaced businesses.
- The truth March 27, 2024 (9:01 pm)
  
  The displacement free option is to add billions in bus service and not build the light rail in West Seattle.
? March 27, 2024 (8:51 am)

” Business owners get a dime on the dollar.“

Please flesh out those numbers?

Rlv March 26, 2024 (8:52 pm)

Damn, PNTA is one of my absolute favorite places. I hope they can find another spot in West Seattle.

Defund Sound Transit March 26, 2024 (10:27 pm)

For the $4 billion price tag for this mess of a project that only a few will use to get to SODO we could buy 120,000 new electric vehicles for EVERY West Seattle resident.

Derek March 26, 2024 (11:41 pm)

So it won’t connect to Ballard and I cannot transfer? I can get to Kirkland and Bellevue so much faster with light rail plus get work done on my laptop. Please anti-transit folks, stop lying to make a point. It’s not helping you.
Foop March 27, 2024 (12:10 am)

And what do you suppose west Seattle might look like with 120000 vehicles added to the roads?
Jeepney March 27, 2024 (5:16 am)

It’s not about us and whether or not we will benefit from it. You can thank the citizens from the 1940’s and 1950’s for I-5, highway 99, hospitals, schools, among other infrastructure we use today. This region will only grow in population, and we have not planned accordingly because of opinions like yours.

M March 26, 2024 (10:57 pm)

Have people commenting never been on transit before? Transferring is a totally normal thing that is done in Seattle and all over the world. I did it twice today and lived to tell 😅.

Bbron March 27, 2024 (6:35 am)

Probably not. When you come to the table saying “there’ll only be a few riders!” or “think of the cars!” it’s a clear signal that they don’t have 1st hand experience being anything other than car drivers. Honestly, it makes me a little sympathetic b/c where ever they go, they’re forced to interact with cars, not people, and it ends up making getting from point A to B a hostile experience that jades drivers. I can’t count how many great moments I’ve had riding transit or walking/biking/scooting because I’m interacting directly w/ other humans. The car driving experience is fraught with disdain for your fellow drivers, entitlement, and selfishness.
- Oh Seattle March 27, 2024 (10:12 am)
  
  I’m a mass transit user and proponent, but it’s in spite of the close proximity to the other humans. For those of us without a cartoon bluebird on our shoulders, it’s just a practical option to get from point A to point B. But, way to romanticize a mundane and sometimes dangerous experience, I guess.
  - Bbron March 28, 2024 (2:45 pm)
    
    Have you not been in the threads with people romanticizing about where they enjoy parking their cars? You’re gonna come in here and say that PT riding is dangerous when thousands of folks are killed and maimed on highways and roads by cars? Bring in some actual facts if you want to quantify either experience: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1295843/number-fatalities-public-transit-us/ vs 772 people killed in car crashes in 2023 in WA alone; maybe take a look at this graph and reevaluate your stance: https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/home-and-community/safety-topics/deaths-by-transportation-mode/ Being that you’re in spite of having to be around other folks, I can see how me talking about how I enjoy PT would anger you. At least we can agree PT is a practical option. Not sure your point at all here besides seeing a chance to be upset.

D-Mom March 27, 2024 (6:28 am)

I normally support light rail, but I hate that these longtime local businesses are getting shoved out for what seems to be a crap plan. Sound PT has saved me many times and Uptown Espresso has the best cappuccino and is a cool hang out spot. I’m heartbroken that Skylark and Mode Music are also in the path. The money they are getting is not nearly enough for these wonderful local businesses to survive. I have become one that does not support light rail for what it is doing to our community and what little gain we get from this plan.

Bus Rider March 27, 2024 (8:12 am)

Right. For example, our community will lose Mode Music which provides music lessons and summer camps to 500 kids. There is no affordable place nearby for them to relocate; so the option is White Center, Burien (necessitating car trips). Same for Alki Beach Academy daycare for 130 neighborhood kids. And the loss of Delridge Deli Mart, Uptown Espresso, and Subway will create a “food desert” for the Delridge community. Pecos Pit, Taco Time, Starbucks are all slated to be demolished, along with the 39 businesses in Jefferson Square including Safeway and Bartell. (School of Rock – another music opportunity for kids is doomed as well). West Seattle has almost everything we need within 15 minutes on foot, bike, bus, or a short car trip. Why would we choose to destroy our community for a light rail that will take us only to SODO 10 years from now? Let’s improve our bus system; it is frequent, affordable, reliable and existing.
- April March 27, 2024 (9:38 am)
  
  Agreed. They just keep destroying our communities’ in West Seattle.
- Admiral March 27, 2024 (10:34 am)
  
  What is so special about Jefferson Square that deems it worthy of saving? That bartells is likely going to end up closed like so many others as part of the RiteAid bankruptcy and that Safeway will likely close down if the Kroger-Albertsons merger ultimately goes through since the QFC across the street has a better space & a longer lease. Jefferson square isn’t anything more than a glorified strip mall, filled mostly with nationally owned chain stores, with a few dozen outdated apartments above it. If Sound Transit were to be replace that entire block with something similar to what they did in Cap Hill then it’s ultimately going to be a net positive for the entire area
  - WS Res March 27, 2024 (2:30 pm)
    
    Jefferson square houses our vet (West Seattle Animal Hospital) and a great, locally-owned wine and spirits store, plus our eye doctor (Z Optical). Losing/relocating those 3 businesses will all directly impact my life. And, I’m glad for light rail to be coming because long-term it’s going to be a benefit as well. I’m looking forward to taking the rail to SODO, transferring trains, and taking rail into downtown or to the airport. (Transferring! oh no!)
- Delridge Neighbor March 27, 2024 (11:06 am)
  
  Mode Music could easily move up the street a few blocks to the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Then they could have the benefit of being served by 3 bus lines and a parking lot.
Foop March 27, 2024 (8:59 am)

It sounds to me like you should pressure the council to push for better support for these businesses to relocate, not cripple our regions transit. I agree $50k isn’t enough but it’s also not reason to not build the rail.once built the light rail will be here for 50-100+ years, conservatively. I doubt any of those businesses would otherwise be there that long.frankly if these businesses are treasures we, our city, should push to make it possible for them to relocate near the light rail so they can benefit from the added foot traffic. Uptown should open a small shop in or near the station for all the commuters passing through, the deli mart should open a small shop in or near the station is someone needs a quick snack for lunch on their way somewhere or a drink, or maybe some groceries on the way home. Day care could be close by so parents. An drop their kids off on their way to the office without having to make a special car trip.

HS March 27, 2024 (7:31 am)

So exciting!! I know there’s displacement and disruption but also growth opportunities, and I too wish that the light rail would go downtown vs SODO but as a transit rider, I am sooooo ready for this to be built.

Bur Rider March 27, 2024 (1:13 pm)

Current transit riders are the ones who will be taking this light rail (in ten years) not car drivers. Sound Transit thinks that people will happily walk or bike to the Alaska Junction in order to take light rail to SODO. West Seattleites can get downtown on a one-sit bus ride from their own neighborhood – not a station with no parking, and that requires them to go 90′ underground or to a six story high platform.
YIMBY March 27, 2024 (1:20 pm)

Light Rail will ultimately go downtown without a transfer at SODO. I believe SODO station will be a temporary transfer until the second downtown transit tunnel is built.

phillip March 27, 2024 (7:34 am)

Who will be using this sound transit going to Delridge? The Seattle economy and crime have made it so corporations work from the house or left seattle so im guessing there will be all kinds of crime like the BART train in SF. You have to make seattle a safe place again or this will never come to fruition.

WS Res March 27, 2024 (2:37 pm)

Let me guess that you know nothing about SF-BART other than what right-wing media tells you. I have friends who ride BART every day. It’s fine. It’s public transit, so it’s not perfect, but it’s fine.
- M March 29, 2024 (10:29 am)
  
  I really miss BART. It made it possible for us to get around the bay area when we lived there–owning a car was way too expensive for us. It’s such a great area for transit in general.
D-Ridge March 27, 2024 (5:27 pm)

Us residents of Delridge will us it, for one.

Scarlett March 27, 2024 (8:22 am)

Light rail does not have near the capacity to either alleviate vehicle congestion nor offer substantial numbers of people alternative public transportation. No proponents have advanced a plausible scenario – not dreamy fantasies – in which this light rail segment will take substantial numbers of vehicles off the road or significantly increase access to public transportation. This is a juicy piece of infrastructure pork, a money train to nowhere. Don’t feel bad, the light rail carnival barkers have peddled the same elixir to other cities.

Pam March 27, 2024 (9:05 am)

The “war on cars” argument is laughable considering more transportation = less cars on the road = less traffic and more parking for cars. Even ounces put out an instagram post that they, and the other surrounding businesses, support light rail and only have an issue with the minuscule amount of relocation funds.

Admiral-2009 March 27, 2024 (9:12 am)

I’ve heard that ST doesn’t properly compensate businesses for the cost of relocating and lost business opportunities. The businesses impacted need to be fairly compensated!

Bus March 27, 2024 (10:32 am)

Why on earth would i take a 2-seat ride to commute 5 miles into downtown. It’s a nope from this 20+ year bus rider.

Scarlett March 27, 2024 (10:46 am)

No one has advanced a plausible cost-benefit argument for this light rail extension. For that matter, has light rail significantly changed the public transportation landscape here, or elsewhere, either by removing private vehicles from roads or increasing access? No, not even remotely. Good grief, people, stop drinking the light rail kool-aid.

platypus March 27, 2024 (12:30 pm)

From 2011 to 2019, the population of Seattle increased by 20%. However, the average daily traffic over that timeframe remained static (figure 1 and 2 of pdf link). You will note that during that timeframe the Link 1 line was pretty limited. The excess was taken up but a multitude of transit options. The point is, yes, transit has a huge impact, and is part of an array of options a city should take toward providing multiple options to move people around a city. It would be very wrong to think there has been zero impact. In 2023, an average of 2600 riders took Link specifically every single day. I am not sure where you think those people would go otherwise.https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/system-performance-tracker/ridershiphttps://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/SDOT/About/DocumentLibrary/Reports/2022_Traffic_Report.pdf
- Scarlett March 27, 2024 (1:23 pm)
  
  Bus transit absolutely dwarfs light rail in terms of daily ridership. Sure, we can spend billions on moving a handful of riders to light rail, but is this a sane, pragmatic option? It’s too late and too expensive to graft this fantasy of light rail onto most American cities, including Seattle.
  - Bbron March 28, 2024 (3:02 pm)
    
    “Bus transit absolutely dwarfs light rail in terms of daily ridership” did you not look at the sources above? Because with what Sound transit gives out and the King County Metro stats (https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/metro/about/data-and-reports/performance-reports) they’re pretty close if you compare Link w/ ST Express + KC. Do you have any source to back up what you’re saying or is it all based on your feelings? But I guess confronting facts would make it harder to support the status quo you want to maintain. It’s getting tiring hearing nothing new or substantial from you, Scarlett. You need new material.
    - Scarlett March 29, 2024 (9:22 am)
      
      In May 2023 there were some total 300,000 King County weekday boardings (bus, streetcar, etc, etc), with about 78,000 of those light rail. These percentages were fairly static in 2023 though they haven’t been updated. 26% is not a large number, considering that many are those going to and coming back from the airport and that these lines travel through some of the most densely populated Seattle neighborhoods where light rail should be most appealing to commuters – Beacon Hill, Capitol Hill, Rainier Valley, downtown.
      
      What is my “old material” argument, BBRON? Yeah, pretty much the same as it always has been and will continue to be: LIght rail is a horrendously expensive, disruptive, dislocating piece of infrastructure pork that is not living up to its rosy promises – certain nothing that improved bus transit can’t accomplish at a fraction of the cost.
  - Bbron March 29, 2024 (1:07 am)
    
    Actually, I misinterpreted the figures and am wrong in my previous post about weekday boardings of Link being nearly equal to ST Express + KC Metro boardings, and it is closer to Link being 1/4 the number of boardings than KC Metro. So a lot more bus riders, but hardly “dwarfed,” especially if you compare the number of Rapid Ride boardings vs. Link b/c, as you know, there are many, many more routes and places you can board a KC Metro bus than either Link or the Rapid Rides. There is about 30% more boardings on the Link than all Rapid Rides, and I’d say those are closer in terms of system accessible and build-out. Hopefully if Scarlett replies they can do so with some actual numbers and sources…
    - Scarlett March 29, 2024 (11:15 am)
      
      I used the very same KC dashboard for my numbers as you provided in your comment. Oddly, you’re simply arguing the point that I’ve made countless times, that KC bus transit is more than capable of cavassing neighborhoods and accomodating/adjusting to meet public transportation needs. From a more futuristic perspective, I believe that the paradigm of hordes of commuters shuttling between home and work on trains is over; fixed light rail is resigned to becoming largely transportation nostalgic “eye candy.”
    - Bbron March 30, 2024 (5:51 am)
      
      Um, your point has changed apparently because you said “Bus transit absolutely dwarfs light rail in terms of daily ridership.” but 1) it doesn’t even if you think 26% is too small to consider. guess having 1 additional bus for every 4 currently around going between Northgate and SeaTac would be an improvement? and 2) KC Metro boards per route mile is between 1 and 2 while for the Link it is a few thousand per route mile. Link absolutely crushes buses in terms of moving people. how do you make the idea of the light rail serving many airport commuters as a point against it? I have a hard time believing you’re not a primarily car driver interested in preserving the status quo because you don’t seem to have noticed how getting around Seattle has been before and after the light rail. did you ever try to take a bus from downtown to Northgate before the new station? bus schedules would be useless half the day because they’d be stuck in car traffic. Scarlett, you seriously need to look more into how transportation works and is used before being so strong and wrong with your opinions.

PDiddy March 27, 2024 (10:49 am)

They need to kill the west Seattle expansion. Unnecessary as we can do
fine as is with better bus service without destroying the neighborhoods
and businesses.

anonyme March 28, 2024 (8:06 am)

Yup.

Mel March 27, 2024 (11:40 am)

If early acquisition is approved, how long will these businesses have before they have to cease operations? Curious about the daycare in particular.

wetone March 27, 2024 (12:26 pm)

Sound Transit at its best… going after property’s and disrupting peoples lives for a project that in all reality will never be built. It makes absolute zero sense for this project on the money and benefit side. The per mile cost for building this link would be record setting while benefiting a very small percentage. Strictly political, huge money and land grab for redistribution down the road to those pushing project. This is nothing more than a fraudulent sales job on the public that ST will drag out for years spending our money. Metro service in WS has declined and continues with route closures. Time and money should be spent on more efficient and accessibility towards Metro services and routes through out WS . Need better leadership in Metro and King county that pushes this agenda instead of pushing towards ST in WS.

JDB March 27, 2024 (3:48 pm)

I’m not sure who all of these bus riders are who say the bus is so great. Yes, I can get to work without a transfer. On a good day my commute is about 45 minutes each way. On a not so lucky day that can get well above 90 minutes. And that is only going to get worse as the population grows and more cars hit the streets. How does everyone expect the buses to circumvent increased traffic 10 years from now?

The Light Rail is not impacted by car traffic, so commute times will be predictable and consistent. I would literally pay more than $5 a trip to avoid sitting in traffic every day. More power to those who do not find sitting in traffic miserable, but once the Light Rail is in WS I will make an immediate switch.

D-Ridge March 27, 2024 (5:30 pm)

Seriously. On a good day the 50 might come three times in an hour, most of the time it’s every 30-40 minutes. Sure no transfer, but it meanders and takes forever.

Javier March 27, 2024 (4:32 pm)

I think since so many commenters have such a car centric suburban mindset and have rarely ridden public transportation, they should go to the opening of the East Link Starter Line April 27. That way they can safely experience what riding Link is like without being uncomfortable. They can park their cars for free in one of the 1,500 parking stalls at South Bellevue Station and ride to Redmond Technology Center and back. The opening weekend is usually free so they won’t have to worry about logistics like getting an Orca Card or figuring out the ticket machines. Give it a try, it’s not so scary!

Scarlett March 27, 2024 (6:53 pm)

There is a vast difference betwen a cool marketing pitch and what will actually transpire in the real world. As a serious user of public transportation my entire life, I’ve ridden light rail everywhere and nowhere has it lived up to the hype of moving significant numbers of people from point A to point B, enough to justify its enormous cost. Imagine what could be done with the current bus transit between Seattle and Eastside with a fraction of the money that is being spent – wasted – on light rail. That’s what is truly scary.
Rhonda March 27, 2024 (11:28 pm)

I can drive from south Bellevue to the Redmond Technology Center faster and cheaper than a light rail passenger can. I can also do it with my dog and the grandkids + 2 weeks worth of groceries.
- john March 28, 2024 (8:45 am)
  
  Okay Rhonda,But why take your dog and two grandkids from Bellevue to Redmond Technology Center?
  
  And how does that pertain to West Seattle transit?
- Bus March 28, 2024 (8:51 am)
  
  Why are you taking 2 weeks worth of groceries, dogs, and kids to the technology center? Why are the dogs with you at the grocery store in the first place? I have so many questions.
- Jeff March 28, 2024 (9:11 am)
  
  Your unique scenario Rhonda is called a “concern troll” and will not be the average ridership experience at all.
- WestSeattleBadTakes March 28, 2024 (10:33 am)
  
  Oh wow, isn’t it crazy that it is cheaper and faster to drive there? How did that happen?

Greg March 28, 2024 (12:31 pm)

I think its funny that the opponents of lightrail on here keep saying it will only take you to SoDo. We all know that you’ll be able to then transfer to another train, right? Then you could take that train to Redmond, Lynnwood, or Tacoma. But somehow people think it will just get you to SoDo.

Scarlett March 28, 2024 (2:20 pm)

You mean kinda like a bus?
wetone March 28, 2024 (3:23 pm)

Greg that’s great, but when you get to Redmond or Tacoma then what ? Get on another bus or Uber, for final destination ? If one’s work location is within a few blocks of a ST stop, that’s great… but what’s the real % of people that fit this category. Friends and I have had many conversations about this and everyone in our group would have to take at least one or more bus or walk some distance. Between age and the time involved it’s just not feasible. I truly believe the link between WS and SODO could almost be as efficiently served by Metro or other type of bus service if we had the proper people involved. Not disturbing people’s property and cost savings would be substantial.

Scarlett March 28, 2024 (2:22 pm)

Despite zero evidence here or elswhere that light rail has had a meaningful impact on congestion or access to public transportation, despite the enormous cost and accompanying carbon spewing contruction and disruption, despite all this and more, none of this has any impact on its disciples. Yes, light rail has reached the lofty status of a religion.

Atheist March 28, 2024 (4:00 pm)

I support light rail. But I can take a bus directly to downtown without transferring in Sodo. As I understand, I would have to take another bus from Sodo to get to the city. Currently, I have a direct route.

Scarlett March 29, 2024 (12:12 pm)

Why am I, an avid bus transit user and champion of public transportation, opposed to light rail?

1) It’s redundant. This probably doesn’t need any more elaboration, obviously; every rider that is, or will be, served by light rail is currently served by bus transit. I’m always puzzled about those who now eagerly embrace the joys of transferring because now, apparently, it’s light rail. Some rejoice about taking a long, two-segment light rail trip from WS to the airport, rather than a half hour direct trip on the 560.

2) It’s fixed infrastructure. Unlike light rail, bus routes and scheduling can be easily adjusted to accomodate changing demographics and the needs of riders. And, more buses on the road = less private vehicles = less congestion.

3) It’s horrifically expensive. Nuff said.

4) CO2 and environmental damage. During construction these projects will spew tremendous amount of CO2 into the atmosphere and cause environmental harm.

5) Displacement of people and businesses. Eminent domain – forcing someone to vacate/sell their property for the public good – is a very serious and sobering display of state power even for “mo government is better” types. Better make damn sure its for a worthwhile cause.

6) Workplace is changing. The old paradigm of shutting between work and home on trains (and buses for that matter) is probably over. The infrastructure and routines of millions who use rail on the East Coast have been in place for many decades, unlike the West Coast.

Sorry, comment time is over.