Commentary

Nothing stops the train

After 47 train-vehicle accidents since the first light rail line opened in January, might Houston at least pause before pushing for another line? Nope. Weak ridership, funding shortfallsââ?¬â??nothing stops the train. If the public supports it, it moves ahead. If the public doesn’t support it, it still moves ahead: But on a 5-4 vote Friday, the Orange County Transportation Authority board killed the idea [to put the billion-dollar CenterLine light rail project to a countywide vote]. Board member Miguel A. Pulido, a supporter of the rail line, led the opposition, arguing that a ballot measure would be an unwise gamble because voters would probably reject the project. “It would be a terrible mistake. By voting to put it on the balllot, we kill the project.”