To the editor:

I am old enough to have used light rail in Norfolk (They were called trolleys then.), along with passenger trains and local ferry service. There is a reason each of these three has passed away. The automobile was more convenient and went where and when we wanted to go.

We could ride the ferry to Norfolk, and then catch the streetcar to Ocean View Amusement Park. We rode the passenger trains from Portsmouth, but they passed away because they were not profitable for the railroads. And the ferry service stopped with the opening of the Downtown Tunnel.

Brining back light rail, passenger trains and ferryboats would cost all taxpayers. These services will never pay for themselves and will drain away funds needed to improve our transportation network of good roads.