I believe the argument would be that not creating induced demand will provide market effects to encourage the use of transit, which would then create greater demand for improved transit.
How does demand for public transit produce it? I mean public calls for more transit have been loud for many years and US politicians have taken that as opportunity to tax more and produce garbage transit construction project that enrich their friends and fail to change the situation (see the "mystery" of the US not being able to build public transit).
As someone who used to live in DC, and now lives in Tokyo, yes, the DC metro system is pretty terrible. How long did that Silver line extension take again? And when are they going to build more lines or extensions? And when are they going to have trains that run like clockwork every 5 minutes? Heck, when are they going to install automated gates on the platforms so people can't fall into the tracks? I don't think the DC system's drivers could possibly stop accurately enough for that to work there.
> when are they going to install automated gates on the platforms so people can't fall into the tracks?
It is interesting that you picked this one. For those unaware, in the busiest mass transit lines in East Asia, some countries and systems are slowly installing barrier gates to prevent accidental (and intentional) falls onto the tracks. To me, Japan is special because they are trying to reduce suicides when people throw themselves in front of oncoming trains. Is that really an issue on the DC metro? I doubt at even 10% the level of Japan. And accidental falls that result in serious injury are incredibly rare. One more thing to consider: These gates require maintenance, and a lot of it. Unless your system has world class maintenance (I really mean the "world class" bit), these gates will quickly become a nuscience and disabled.
The Silver Line is fantastic. I visit the DC area several times a year to see family. Used to rent a car or pay $$$ for Uber into the city from Dulles. Last time I paid $2 on a Sunday for me and my daughter to get into the city.
When I lived in Northern Virginia however I experienced many disrupted or very slow trips due to issues with the DC Metro.
The DC Metro service, according to wikipedia, was effective transit service that has been trashed over the years by neglected - like BART. And like BART, it's hard single extension but is basically in terrible shape now.
My point is that growing demand for mass transit hasn't translated into anything.
How does demand for public transit produce it? I mean public calls for more transit have been loud for many years and US politicians have taken that as opportunity to tax more and produce garbage transit construction project that enrich their friends and fail to change the situation (see the "mystery" of the US not being able to build public transit).