KC Light Rail

Pittsburgh (2.35 million, 5,636/sq. mi.) - Pittsburgh's 25-mile light rail line is getting a new 1.2-mile addition in the form of the North Shore Connector, which should be complete in 2011 (80% federal match). The new line will connect downtown to baseball and football stadiums, a casino, and other business and cultural centers via tunnels under the Allegheny River. A connection to the airport has been proposed as a further extension of the North Shore Connector, but planning is in early stages. Zone-based fares range from $1.50 to $3.25.

Portland (2.17 million, 4,199/sq. mi.) - While most trumpet the Portland Streetcar, a public-private urban circulator, it's the three MAX light rail lines that do the heavy lifting on the rails. The 6.5-mile Green Line is under construction to connect directly with Union Station (home of frequent state-funded Amtrak Cascades corridor service). Another line is in design that will cross the Willamette River into Vancouver, Washington – more bi-state madness… gasp! — replacing an aging I-5 bridge with a new $4.2 billion crossing that will accommodate vehicles (with tolls) and light rail. Zone pricing makes fares vary between $1.75 and $2.05 per trip.

Cincinnati (2.13 million, 4,174/sq. mi.) - Voters rejected an aggressive 60-mile rail plan in 2002, but talk of a modern streetcar discussion has surfaced to connect downtown with the Over-The-Rhine neighborhood. Guess what's on the other side of their river? Another state, beotches. Did we mention they have a massive, dedicated pedestrian bridge?

Cleveland (2.10 million, 6,166/sq. mi.) - The biggest transit news in Cleveland is the Silver Line, a BRT line connecting downtown and East Cleveland. Believe it or not, they were able to sell the naming rights, so it will actually be called the HealthLine. We think most people will still call it a bus (see Boston's Silver Line for proof). The city already has one heavy rail line and two light rail lines that all converge at Tower City Center, also an Amtrak station served only by long-distance trains (a major inter-city passenger rail corridor is being studied, however, to connect all of Ohio's major population centers). A 50-cent fare hike proposal would put the one-way price at $2.25.

Sacramento (2.09 million, 4,711/sq. mi.) - California's capital has a two-line 37-mile light rail system that was extended in 1995, 1998, 2003, and 2004. The latest extension was completed in December 2006 that connected the line to the Amtrak station, a major stop on the state-funded Capital Corridor. A future extension to the airport is planned, but construction of a 4-mile extension to Cosumnes River College will open in 2009. Fare is $2 per trip for bus or rail.