Posted on 05/12/2015 5:41:16 PM PDT by Roos_Girl
The SunRail commuter train finished its first year of operation $27.2 million in the red, bringing in $7.2 million while spending $34.4 million.
The shortfall was covered by taxpayers through the state Department of Transportation, which oversees the system running from DeBary in Volusia County through downtown Orlando to south Orange County.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, chairman of the SunRail board, called the performance "good for a first year."
He predicted SunRail's losses would fall in coming years because the train would carry more passengers and advertising income would increase.
(Excerpt) Read more at orlandosentinel.com ...
-——From what I understand, its pretty standard for public transportation systems to operate in the red with taxpayers covering the shortfall.-——
See that’s the rub....if local taxpayers want to invest in a losing project, that’s no skin off my nose, since they know upfront they will be “investing” (cough) for decades...
This rail line was funded by the Feds for 50% of the cost...and 25 % by the state of Florida
So 75 % of the initial cost was taken out of my pocket and I will never use the thing...
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