A Web site protesting the proposed Purple Line is drawing protest of its own because of its links to a country club that would be bisected by the proposed mass transit link.

The Alliance for Smart Transportation Web site claims to be a "coalition of concerned citizens advocating for smart transportation solutions for Montgomery and Prince George's Counties." But in reality, it is backed by the Columbia Country Club, according to internal company sources. It was registered through an off-shore company.

» Click here to see the Alliance's web site.

Purple Line proponents were angered by the ruse.

"They'd rather not look at the trolley cars while they play golf," said Ben Ross, a Purple Line supporter.

"We need the Purple Line, but it's being blocked by a wealthy country club, with unlimited resources to pretend as if they are influencing public opinion," said Montgomery County (web|news) Council member George Leventhal.

The proposed light link would use buses or a light rail system to link New Carrollton and Bethesda, with several stops in between.

The county club's spokesperson refused to go on camera, but said it wasn't trying to hide anything. He said opposition to the proposed mass transit link is not just from the country club.

In May, transportation officials predicted ridership on the proposed Purple Line would be 68,000 trips a day, a number that is up more than 20,000 from earlier projections. Many commuters have their fingers crossed it will happen.

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