Light Rapid Transit-Costs

[dldance]

More from Austin - At last night's Capital Metro meeting (19 Sep 2005)---

"And the board, shortly before approving that $208.3 million budget, set about spending a large chunk of it, unanimously approving buying six rail cars from a Swiss company, Stadler Bussnag AG, for $32.3 million.

The nature of the cars, set to arrive over a period between fall 2007 and spring 2008 for service on a downtown Austin-to-Leander line approved last year by voters, was no surprise: self-propelled, diesel-powered dual cars, with a cab on each end and an engine for each half. Nor was the price: Capital Metro had predicted it would spend about $5 million a car.

But the approach to buying the cars is noteworthy. Capital Metro will seek bids later this year to finance the railcar purchase, in effect borrowing the money from a third party to pay Stadler. "

Hope this helps

dd

[dldance]

Capital Metro in Austin has budgeted about $60 million for their initial diesel light rail system. However, they already own the right of way with a working single track freight rr on it. So the $60 million will buy 9 stations on about 30 miles of track, sufficient passing sidings for operation on 30 minute headway, signaling and engineering costs. That does not include ROW acqusition or equipment as they plan to lease the cars.

dd

[Junctionfan]

Canada generally speaking is much more open minded and provided that funding is there and it makes sense, it will happen; it's just a matter of hounding the powers to stay on a time table.

There is a direct station to station route. Brock University and Niagara College students are a major contribution to the region's economy with about 200,000 students attending the institutions. The Pen Center is a giant mall that roughly takes up the size of the Astrodome and has well over a 100 stores. To continue on the post secondary education field, many students from around the world not just within Canada, stay in St.Catharines downtown or as close to a bus route as possible to get to Brock. Some course heavily interdepend on both facilities at Brock and Niagara College so commuting between the two institutions is quite common.

In addition to the route I proposed, another important route should be established linking St.Catharines to the Niagara College Glendale Campus to Niagara College Maid of the Mist Campus in Niagara Falls and the Casino/ Hotel district. I would also like it to stop at Niagara Falls and St.Catharines VIA stations.

The ROI will be very high indeed and most likely require little funding as the revenue will be large.

[DSchmitt]

Check out this web site

http://www.vtpi.org/

[Big_Boy_4005]

Andrew, I don't know about Canada, but down here, light rail doesn't happen without a fight. It seems like it took forever for the line to open in Minneapolis.

The good news and the bad news, first the good. Ridership has been much higher than expected. The bad, on a cost basis, it doesn't come close to breakeven.

I used to be so gung ho about light rail, and while I will always enjoy riding it, I'm not sure it really makes sense in this day and age.

During the grand opening of the line last summer, as part of the festivities, at one of the stops they were running some vintage buses from the 50's and 60's. We ended up taking a ride, and I got into a conversation with the driver.

I was always convinced that it was a conspiracy that brought down the streetcar system. But. the driver made some excellent points as to why the bus was superior to rails.

First, with buses, there is no infrastructure to speak of. This means a much lower start up cost. Then there are no rails or wires to maintain.

Second, buses are more flexible. It is easy to change routes, since they can go anywhere. Once rails are down, they are usually there to stay.

Even if light rail is faster and more efficient, is it really worth all of the extra cost?

[Junctionfan]

I am currently doing some research on the possibility of a light rapid rail service between downtown St.Catharines, Pen Center (large Mall), Brock University, Niagara College and Downtown Welland.

In my opinion and alot of students and citizens I have talked to already, long over due.

I am curious to know how much does it cost for the kinds of vehicles that say Houston owns and how much did it cost per mile to lay track? Any other costs to consider?

Any help would be appreciated as I am serious about it and plan on visiting my member of provincial parliment and city councillor for advice on how to organize such a plan and get effected parties on board sort of speak.