Baltimore subway woes are no surprise

The news of the Baltimore’s Metro SubwayLink needing extensive repairs is not surprising by those who ride it everyday (“Baltimore Metro shutdown leaves riders waiting in the rain: ‘It’s very confusing and frustrating,’ ” Feb. 12). Maryland’s lack of investment in public transportation shouldn’t be such a problem when it comes to the subway. There are only two tracks to monitor and maintain. This should be easy, right? Two tracks! That’s it!

Gov. Larry Hogan did what all of his predecessors have done and merely ignored the modern transit problems that plague this area. He did go one step further and slap an edgy name on the system and declare it fixed. In the meantime, he is going to spend his time chasing the maglev project up and down the East Coast. Can’t wait for the maglev stop in Owings Mills.

Why don’t politicians want to invest in improving the state’s alternative transit options? Is it because you can’t put your name on 5 miles of track improvements? You can’t put your name on an added lane for the Baltimore Beltway, either, yet, that seems to be the transit investment of choice. So now my family, and many others, are about to embark on commuting hell for an unknown amount of time.

The subway can be an efficient, enjoyable commuting experience. Why can’t the people who control our tax dollars see it that way?