Mr. Slater's writings are nothing more than sour grapes.  He failed with his lawsuit and now, in retaliation, he continues to try to undermine the rail.  He writes well and with great authority but, when challenged, he has no truly feasible alternative.
Abandon 11 miles of completed elevated guideway, abandon a 99% completed 43 acre maintenance and storage facility, cancel existing contracts with contractors, designers and rail car manufacturers (at a huge payout), waste all the money spent for right-of ways?  This is his alternative???
There are over 50 cities and metropolitan areas in the United States with rail systems. Some over 40 years old.  If these system are ineffective and lack ridership why are many continuing to expand?  If these cities are expecting their rail systems to become obsolete, in the near future, why are the continuing to expand?