Passenger rail system not as costly as Plan B- The Surrey NOW, May 9, 2008

Re: "Benefits of rail often go unseen", May 2 Now.

Matthew Claxton's point that implementing a passenger rail system through the Fraser Valley would be expensive is well-taken.

Certainly, no one wants another government boondoggle. However, I'm not convinced that the cost of rail for the valley is either prohibitive, or a good reason for not going ahead with the project.

Yes, it is predicted that passenger rail in the Fraser Valley could cost $6,000,000 per kilometre.

However, this is a fraction of what a system such as SkyTrain would cost.

Claxton also argues that passenger rail may not be an ideal solution because it will be subsidized by all taxpayers, including those who never use the system.

He seems to forget that most, if not all, government projects are paid out of the general tax based.

Any economist could tell you that if everyone had to pay for their individual share of government services- roads, schools, and hospitals, for example- no public goods would ever be provided.