[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Hiawatha Line Gets another Fix

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Hiawatha Line Gets another Fix
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1225427057.shtml


   [1]"Transit Tax Bears Fruit says the Minneapolis Star Tribune
   headline. The first spoils of the new Transit Tax were doled out, $86
   million.
   The big winner? Light rail, of course, mostly the Hiawatha Line,
   starting with $31 million to "address Metro Transit's operating
   deficit." While still heavily subsidized, Metro Transit's existing
   funds cover bus operations. The deficit is due entirely to Light Rail,
   and probably understated without depreciation or amortization of its
   large capital investment. Oh, and the Hiawatha Line also gets another
   $7.5 million in an Operating Grant. Meanwhile, more good millions were
   thrown after bad, to the Central Corridor and Northstar lines. As I
   read the article, 90% of the $86 million went to rail projects and
   operation.
   The big loser? Taxpayers. As a transit alternative, Light Rail is a
   net negative. It furnishes no new service. It only increases costs,
   and as we've seen, dramatically so.
   Try it this way: $86 million would go a long way toward covering
   Public School referendums. It would cover the Robbinsale, Osseo, and
   Minneapolis requests with $10 million left over. It may or may not
   improve academic outcomes, but it would at least provide more arts and
   sports.

References

   1. http://www.startribune.com/local/south/33547414.html?elr=KArks:DCiUMcyaL_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU