David Shapiro's recent opinion column in The Advertiser's June 28 edition raised the notion that the city is locked into rail as the best option for O'ahu's traffic woes. Given the recent feedback from the city at their series of public forums, it certainly appears that way.

The results of a recent poll conducted by The Advertiser concluded that 24 percent of the respondents considered traffic on O'ahu as the number one problem requiring attention. Way down the list were need for public transportation at 3 percent and mass transit/rail at 2 percent.

The Hawai'i Highway Users Alliance recently hosted a transportation panel at the State Capitol that discussed transportation options for O'ahu. Panelist Brian D. Taylor, visiting University of California at Los Angeles professor and director of the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies, raised some interesting points in his presentation, titled "How Do We Get the Most Bang for Our Transit Investment Buck." His report brought up some important factors that should be considered when looking at the most effective transportation options.

Taylor's presentation revealed that advocates of rail transit define the problem by using the most preferred solution. Using this approach, advocates assert that the problem of traffic congestion is because Honolulu does not have rail transit. This frames the question to arrive at a predetermined answer. He encouraged decision-makers to investigate the most cost-effective options to address our traffic problems.

In May, Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, unveiled new strategies to combat traffic congestion. They included more efficient and responsive bus systems that tailor services specifically for rush-hour commuters (upgrading our current bus system), opening up transportation infrastructure to private investment opportunities (high-occupancy toll roads) and speeding up the review process for highway projects. All of these alternatives are cheaper than the rail system as proposed.

O'ahu's proposed rail system appears to have too large a price tag for the low ridership projected at 120,000 - 150,000 in 2030. For a system that will cost $3 billion (conservative estimate), divided by Honolulu's metropolitan population of 980,000, the cost per capita would be $3,061. This is a very high cost compared with other jurisdictions.

The cost of Salt Lake City's light rail system is $282 per capita, Sacramento's is $171 per capita, and Portland's is $725 per capita. Even more troubling is the very real possibility that despite the 1/2 percent general excise tax surcharge proposed by Bill 40, the city may end up owing far more than rail transit's original cost because of operating losses and interest costs.

The popularity of mass transit is not high and most people prefer to use their private vehicles when commuting. Spending so much on an unpopular choice seems like a waste of valuable resources, especially when the city's consultants acknowledge that the rail will do little to reduce traffic congestion. We need to find a solution that is attractive to its potential ridership, is cost effective and will help ease congestion.

Transportation solutions will be important to the future livelihood, industry and convenience of all those calling O'ahu home.

Let's work together to make sure the most efficient transit solutions are actualized. The future of Hawai'i depends on our input.

There recently were three community meetings held by the consulting firm on the four transit options being considered. Rail dominated the discussions. Let's not forget that we have other options.

By Rep. Colleen Rose Meyer is a Republican representing the 47th District, which includes Ha'iku, La'ie and Kahalu'u. She wrote this commentary for The Advertiser.