The Nation - News from Jan. 17, 1988

Voters in Houston approved a 13-year, $2.6-billion transit plan that includes a 20-mile light rail system, according to incomplete election returns. With 572 of 589 precincts in Harris County reporting, 55,238 votes, or 60%, had been cast in favor of the proposal, while 35,965 were opposed to the plan, which includes street improvements, upkeep and expansion of the city bus system and a network of freeway bus lanes, as well as the rail system. Officials attributed the low voter turnout of 8% to the ballot dealing only with the transit issue and to a day of drizzling weather.