Here’s an idea that has been bouncing around my head. I’ve bounced it off a couple off people and no one has yet told me I’m nuts, so here it comes, bouncing at you.

CATS will open part of the South Blvd. line before we ever get a final total on the cost of all 15 stations. I wouldn’t even be shocked if CATS did not rush to get something up and running by the big American Public Transportation Association meeting in October.

This “partial plan” would also give CATS some positive PR — CATS no doubt believes — in advance of a November vote on the transit tax repeal. CATS really does think the trains are magical, so of course city officials would think trains running up and down South Blvd., even for a couple miles, would be net-good for their cause.

For example, were CATS to get everything from Scaleybark on in up and running — Scaleybark is important, as it actually has a park-and-ride lot — that would give the train nine stops. That would seem to be the minimum even CATS could claim as something worthwhile. Add a couple more stops further out and you make it hard for CATS to wait on the wonderful parking deck being built down by 485.

Of course, this all hinges on CATS actually finishing major parts of the line sooner rather than later. I still doubt the entire 9.6 mile line will be done before this time next year. I also fully expect CATS to add another $30 to $50 million to the price tag before all is said and done.

See? Scary.