"'The Colorado Railcar that Capital Metro is considering for use in the commuter rail plan may be clean compared to other trains, but is still extremely dirty," he [Steve Ravet] said. 'Even with a full passenger load, it emits more pollution per passenger mile than a Chevrolet H2 Hummer. The Colorado Railcar will emit around .836 grams of NOx per passenger mile when fully loaded with 92 passengers. NOx is a smog precursor; when NOx and hydrocarbons cook in the summer afternoon sun they produce ozone and smog. By comparison, a Chevrolet H2 Hummer with a single occupant emits .7 grams of NOx per passenger mile.'

Besides the environmental impact, the proposed train wouldn't be a bargain monetarily, either.

'With a retail price of around $55,000 apiece, Capital Metro could buy each of the estimated 1,000 initial train riders a brand-new, fully loaded H2 for slightly less than the cost of the rail construction,' Ravet said."

I'd be interested to see the same set of calculations for our own EZRider system. The way I have it figured, the handful of regular public transit riders here in town each has his/her own bus and personal driver. What a deal.