in the case of Los Angeles its a combination of factors hobbling rail at any level. First, NIMBY suits every now and then that threaten minor stretches of the

in the case of Los Angeles its a combination of factors hobbling rail at any level. First, NIMBY suits every now and then that threaten minor stretches of the project and require significant funds to combat, or restructuring the program entirely so as to avoid the town in question. this added YEARS to the purple line expansion in LA and ensured it could not go through Beverly Hills or Westwood. Second, deliberate political boondoggling from Republicans ideologically opposed to any public transit, mass or otherwise. They know they cant defund or sanction it, so they get elected on platforms to "form a committee" or put a measure on the ballots to "fund an investigation and research" into things like delays or budgets for the program, which inevitably saps resources and time from the program and slows things down. IMO its largely NIMBYS though. California in particular has a bold cadre of arrogant holdouts for practically ANY expansion project. pull up google maps and look at the 710 freeway. Notice anything? yep, it stops deliberately before it gets to Pasadena. this lawsuit lasted nearly a decade and forced the city to give up entirely on the project, ending it right around el sereno and safely away from rich people. say what you will about communism, but the central planning committees get things done.