Seattle Department of Transport spokesman Rick Sheridan;
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Reader Lee M. writes;
Thus
no parking lots near most of the train terminals. After packing the trains (free fare) over the weekend the new system commenced paid operation this morning and …. around 8 a.m., trains were arriving at Tukwila from downtown Seattle with fewer than 10 passengers aboard.
$165,467,625. That’s the cost of building the system. Per mile.
Mercifully the rail, created to carry passengers from downtown Seattle to the airport, is only 13.9 miles. It’s 15.6 miles from downtown Seattle to the airport. But that’s being fixed.
This boondoggle was created by King County, WA Executive Ron “tax-to-the-max” Sims. Ron is now Obama’s deputy secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
I’ve always wondered why Vancouver called their LRT the “SkyTrain” and Calgary called theirs the “C” (Sea?) Train.
At least Calgary’s train is useful to a lot of people. The biggest complaint is that the trains are too full during rush hour.
Unbelievable that they let the Seattle LRT get anywhere near the construction phase without parking. That’s worse design than Vista. 🙂
put another way, that 165 mill per mile figure = $100,000 +/- per meter.
a prediction: it will never, ever, ever ever pay for itself. if they ride horses to the stations and don mukluks in winter and jam 15 to a vehicle car pool in summer whilst the one who lost the toss trudges from the belated parking facility . . . . it will NEVER ever ever ever ever pay for itself.
where did the money go? are the rails platinum plated?
I waiting for the Obamites to propose a bridge be built from LA to Hawaii.
That will bust America even if his heath disaster is not passed.
JMO
RevDream:
A bridge? From LA to Hawaii?! Are you crazy?
They’ll build a tunnel.
Just wow….
Even Halifax was not that stupid and this city can generate some pretty serious stupid (three years of city council meetings about a cat bylaw anyone??).
When they put the non-stop LINK bus routes in, the suburb ends of the various routes all had ample parking designed in.
The problem with municipal governments is that they are comprised of bored well-to-do housewives, failed businessmen, academics and various and sundry lefties and enviro moonbats.
Seriously, why would anyone with any level of managerial experience run for city council and the 70K salary they can expect. I am shocked that we don’t read about more of these boondoggles.
i am at a loss for words.
“I’ve always wondered why Vancouver called their LRT the “SkyTrain” and Calgary called theirs the “C” (Sea?) Train.”
Antelope, you don’t realize that the C = Cattle, as in packed like a Cattle Car (especially during Stampede).
I use the C-Train daily to get downtown, and other than the rush hour crowding I find it OK. Using the LRT during Stampede is to be avoided at all costs.
At least Calgary’s problem is that the trains are too full (could be fixed by running more trains, more frequently), not completely empty like other cities poorly designed (utopian) systems.