[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Retro Transit: Central Corridor Route is Set

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Retro Transit: Central Corridor Route is Set
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1204213097.shtml


   Flush with new money, the Central Corridor light rail project is
   charging ahead, agreeing on the route linking downtown Minneapolis and
   St. Paul. It will cost a projected $909 million, which is about $1.5
   billion in real money, not to mention the deferred but certain to be
   added stations, parking, and some solution to the proposed closing of
   the Washington Avenue bridge to traffic.
   And we don't need it. We have excellent transit already. Here is how
   the Central Corridor compares for morning rush hour from Minneapolis
   to St. Paul:
     * Bus 94D (freeway express), 32 min, $2.75
     * Light rail, 35 min, $0.00-$2.00 (honor system)
     * Bus 94B (freeway), 40 min, $2.75
     * Bus 50, 43 min, $2.00
     * Bus 16, 52 min, $2.00

   Besides the cost, well over $10 a ride like the Hiawatha Line, we will
   also pay in human tragedy when 10 ton rail cars take on pedestrians
   and cars.