The VTA system, which cost $2 billion to build $66 million per year to operate, is one of the most inefficient in the nation. Compared to the U.S. average, each VTA light-rail costs 30 percent more to operate and carries 30 percent lower passengers. The system is underutilized when compared to its nearby peer, San Francisco's Muni light-rail system, which carries five times as many passengers as VTA. The system doesn't offer competitive travel time, and the system's routing and transfers are a deterrent to increasing ridership. A two year study on Light Rail System Analysis conducted by VTA also acknowledges the system's ineffectiveness. Despite having one of the most populated service areas and one of the highest population densities by service
