Washington’s Union Station is operating at less than half of its existing capacity. But the Biden administration wants to expand it at a cost of $8.8 billion, even though the rail lines that service it have lost up to 75% of their pre-pandemic ridership.

Reason Magazine reports:

This past week, the Federal Railroad Administration released a draft environmental study of the planned massive $8.8 billion redevelopment of Washington, D.C.’s Union Station, reported The Washington Post. The plan includes new train platforms, a bus terminal, shops, restaurants, and more to be built by 2040. Passenger capacity would be tripled.

The Union Station Redevelopment Corporation, which operates the station, and Amtrak, which owns the platforms and tracks, are responsible for the redevelopment project.

The expansion has the enthusiastic support of local congressional leaders. The bipartisan infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden in November 2021 greatly expanded the amount of money available for public transit and commuter rail projects.

All the money and resources are there. What’s missing are the riders for all the added capacity.