Posted on 06/27/2023 6:16:19 AM PDT by CFW
What is already arguably America's worst public transit project is about to get a whole lot more expensive.
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is moving ahead with plans to build a 2-mile extension to the city's 2.7-mile streetcar line, with an estimated price tag of $230 million. The Center Square reports that the first batch of that new spending—an $11.5 million contract awarded to a firm that will design the extension—was doled out last week. The project is being funded by a half-cent increase in the Atlanta sales tax, and the extension is scheduled to open in 2028.
Even if the extension doesn't go over budget, $230 million for two miles of new streetcar track works out to a slobber-knocking total of $21,700 per foot.
And that only covers the construction costs. If the current Atlanta Streetcar is any indication, most of the operating costs for the extension will be covered by people who never ride it. The existing 2.7-mile loop through downtown Atlanta gets about 158,000 riders per year. Even if all of them pay the $1 per ride fare—and there is ample evidence that many do not—that wouldn't come close to covering the system's $5 million annual operating cost.
(Excerpt) Read more at reason.com ...
Here is the Center Square article referred to in the story at the link:
https://www.thecentersquare.com/georgia/article_87784f82-11f0-11ee-98dc-634573b21927.html
I’m show that Cornelius Clarence Electrical Contractors Corp will get their $13.2 million portion for the 16 light posts they are contracted to install for the project
Bad enough, but definitely not the worst. As mentioned, the Cali bullet train project has eaten up billions, and not a single mile of track has been laid. As a GA resident, and former Atlantan, I’m just glad it isn’t costing more money.
Our hard earned and stolen tax dollars at work to insure Demonrat votes
show = sure
We’ve got one of these boondoggle transit systems in my town.
Back on the 90s 60 minutes was here doing a story on wasteful spending. Since it was partially subsidized by the fed gov it made the story.
The city got wind of it and sent a bunch of city employees (on the clock mind you) to ride the stupid thing to make it look like it was actually being used.
Then a few years in it needed new cars. The French company that manufactured the original cars had gone belly up so the city had to spend tons of more money to get cars that were actually compatible with the track.
Worst part is, there is an nfl team here, a triple A baseball stadium and a 15,000 seat auditorium all within walking distance of each other and that stupid skyway doesn’t even go to any of them.......can ya beat it? SMH
Is two miles too far to walk?
Consultants must be compensated for their political/financial support of local politicians, y’know!
It sure sounds as if, public transportation projects require heavy public subsidies. It sounds like fares charged to riders, don’t come close to covering the costs of operating the systems.
is this something of “virtue signaling”, so authorities in Atlanta can show how devoted they are to public transportation, how devoted they are to fighting global warming and all that?
Easier to deal with MARTA issues than to address the fact Atlanta’s becoming a democrat hellhole city.
They are saving the Unio...err...earth.
One of the Dallas suburbs is planning a ski - lift style cable car system (like they used to have at Six Flags) to carry folks between bars on either side of an expressway.
I thought the Atlanta streetcar was designed to get folks from downtown to the Martin Luther King National Park. Dallas put one in to get folks from the convention to the gay bars across the river (Bishop Art District). Not to be confused with the antique streetcars that connects office buildings with the uptown straight bars).
First, would anyone feel safe walking or going by tram....anywhere in Atlanta? Presently, if I fly in...I go to the rental car facility, and draw a straight line to the interstate, and hope that I’m 20 miles beyond the city in 30 minutes. There’s no reason to linger around mid-town.
it certainly ain’t being done for the “best interests of the citizens”
Give it a couple of years when the delays and cost overruns double the costs.
Cincinnati is trying to go down this road too.
Cincinnati is looking to do the same with their system. Of course they say no taxpayer funds will be used. /s
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