KC3 Final Essay

     According to studies, Oahu has taken first place under the traffic congestion category across the nation in the year of 2012. What makes it more concerning is the fact that it is the second smallest state in the United States meaning that it could lead to other types of problems. Problems like more homelessness occurring due to a high rise in gas prices that would lead them into poverty. But a project that is in action right this minute might help that issue. An elevated rail will be constructed over the next few years to reduce the amount of vehicles on the roads with a low financial budget for the residents which would have a non-adverse impact on the environment.
     Financing the rail project will not be as difficult and stressful as residents came to predict. A local funding for the rail has already been set ever since 2007 and will continue to 2022. The local General Excise and Use Tax (GET) are taxes that allow businesses to pass on to their customers for their total on items or groceries they purchase everyday. And that is being collected and put into the funding. Along with local construction unions winning and/or securing millions of dollars for just contracts to build the core systems (80 rail cars and a controlling center to pilot the driverless vehicles) and the second phase of the elevated guideway. Theres also a $1.55 billion from the Federal Transit Administration that will be added to the $248 million in federal transit funds already. So to say, financial budgets are not exactly an issue to worry about for the residents considering most of it is coming from the government and administrations already.
     Building the rail is a highly recommended option/idea than adding more buses to operate on the island. The amount of money that is needed for the adding more buses would be a higher cost than the operation of the rail itself. Sources say it costs $600k to $1 million to just build and operate a 45-foot bus. Constructing the rail will benefit the residents much more since each of the trains will have a bigger occupancy than the buses. Each train will have an occupancy of 400 or more passengers compared to the equivalent of six buses or more that can be occupied by 400 single persons. Having a bigger transportation vehicle is much more better to travel and carry people around than having more smaller vehicles; the bigger the better.
     Oahu's construction of the rail transit system will not have an adverse impact on the environment. The rail transit will actually be 'going green' considering that it would help reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Along with reducing overall carbon dioxide emissions to keep our air clean. Carbon dioxide emissions are carbon dioxide that affects the climate change. In other words, the white or blurry thing you see through the air coming out of an exhaust. Cars AND buses burn fossil fuels, such as gas, everytime they are operated and are realeased into the air causing air pollution. But the trains for the rail will be electrically powered and are also more quieter. This is a more efficient way of transportation becuase in the future, it can be powered by renewable energy sources.
     Oahu needs a change that will reduce traffic congestion. Imagine moving a few feet every five minutes and wasting gas at the same time. It's not the most desired thing anyone wants to do now that gas prices are high. But the rail will make a positive impact by benefitting not only the people of the state but the tourists and appearance itself.