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Paul Gessing's Insight & Opinion commentary of Dec. 27, "Public rail is off track," demonstrates why money cannot be the driving force of public policy.

The piece lacks relevant evidence - comparing the Las Vegas strip with the middle Rio Grande Valley - and uses shady math. These details cast a shadow over his larger argument to leave things in the invisible hands of private investors.

The New Mexico Rail Runner Express may never be profitable, in terms of cost and revenue. But as taxpayers, we should not cry foul at the use of the funds. The private sector looks to profit from investments, and government should invest in the best interest of our community.

If everyone were always out to make a profit, Albuquerque's open spaces would be sold for a hefty chunk of change to a housing developer. The national forests would be turned into lucrative logging operations and drilled for wealth from natural gas deposits. Yet, the community supports protecting these areas for everyone's enjoyment - something worth more than any sum of money.

Public libraries never bring in revenue, but we do not scream to have them boarded up, shut down and the contents auctioned off. Instead, voters continue to support libraries as essential resources and important institutions, even if the majority of us rarely set foot in one.

The commuter train also benefits everyone, whether you ride it or not.

The train decreases the number of vehicles in your morning traffic jam, prevents wear on the roads and keeps exhaust out of our air. Businesses along the railroad are discovering a new audience, and the Rail Runner provides a solution for the continuous expansion and development of the middle Rio Grande Valley. Taxpayer money can be used to expand I-25 and fix more potholes, or we can spend to search for practical answers.

The Rail Runner's most valuable service, however, is providing transportation for people who cannot drive. Speeding in our cars, we forget about those who cannot afford or cannot operate an automobile.

Public transportation allows that segment of the population to access the opportunities most of us take for granted. A Bernalillo High School graduate can hop on the train and affordably commute to the University of New Mexico to continue his or her education. A man physically unable to operate a car can use the train to get to the only place that would hire him. An elderly woman who may not feel comfortable driving can visit her grandson in Los Ranchos.

In these cases, the Rail Runner provides individuals with an opportunity they would not otherwise have.

Nothing obliges us to care about the poor, elderly or anyone else who is unable to drive. Sure, it's a rough life, but is it really my problem?

But as long as Americans claim to value freedom and equality - which I hope is for a very long time - we must try to provide access and opportunities for everyone.

I encourage you to ride the train or use the bus system in your commute if you have never tried it. Save a buck and be empowered by breaking your dependence on the automobile.

If you cannot or refuse to use Rapid Ride or Rail Runner, no problem. But when you hear the train's whistle or see a city bus, do not curse public transportation as misappropriation of funds. Realize your taxes are being used to make our community a better place.