A commuter train through the San Fernando Valley might sound like a good idea. But this is California, where nothing on rails is ever on track.

The East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project is costing taxpayers $3.6 billion. And — just like the LAX People Mover, or the California High-Speed Rail Authority — it is late.

The California Post reported this week that the original opening date for the Valley rail is now “toast.”

Originally, the light rail was supposed to be ready by next year. Now it won’t be done until 2031, at the earliest, meaning it will not be available for the Olympics. 

Just like the People Mover wasn’t ready in time for the World Cup.

Missing deadlines matters. Big international events are important for marketing new public transportation systems to a city of people who love their cars, even if they also hate traffic.

The Valley is the center of California car culture. So local officials have a tough task in selling the new system to riders — especially when the first trains will arrive four years behind schedule.

The problem with trains isn’t just an LA thing. All across California, trains are in trouble, even where they make sense.

San Francisco’s BART and Muni train systems are suffering from a lack of riders — which is partly a lingering effect of those dreaded COVID lockdowns, which pushed people out of the city.

Who knows — there may be enough people who need to move back and forth along Van Nuys Boulevard to justify the massive amounts of time and money being invested in the Valley light rail.

But there’s a much cheaper option when it comes to expanding public transportation. It’s called a bus. And unlike trains, buses don’t need massive new infrastructure projects. Bus routes can also be changed overnight. 

We’re also entering a new era of self-driving, ride-sharing cars. It might be cheaper to invest in a fleet of Waymos than a new Trans-Siberian Railway.

Yes, trains are quicker — when you happen to be traveling exactly where the railway goes. Trains are also romantic — in the movies.

In reality, trains face a lot of challenges — including, on the LA Metro, a crime problem that became legendary before officials started to make headway in fighting it.

California needs public transportation. But it needs methods that go beyond the locomotive. 

We’re in the 21st century. Time for new ideas.

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