Comments on: (Mostly) Private Mass Transit

By: John Payne

John Payne — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:09:30 +0000

1) I am not a conservative. I consider myself to be a somewhat left wing libertarian (left wing in the sense that, in general, I have more of a problem with the things the right likes to waste money on than the things the left likes to waste money on).

2. As you note, I quoted the numbers. If you think they are wrong, take it up with the KC Star.

3. That money is not the total cost–it’s the money the company received from the city. KC Strip, a private company, paid the rest, which is why it’s worth mentioning.

By: dempster holland

dempster holland — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 02:22:11 +0000

The numbers you quote do not seem right. Laying trolley track would cost substantially more, as would putting in place the overhead wires. Then add the purchase of steetcars. Are you sure this “trolley” is not an existing bus from the bus company? I know it is not fair to ask conservatives to check their facts before they take off on one of their favorite targets, but in this case I think you should

By: John Payne

John Payne — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:30:00 +0000

I don’t think anyone is arguing that the Loop Trolley would provide essential mass transit. I think it is also meant to cater to tourists and people hitting the Loop restaurants and bars.

By: Max

Max — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:46:26 +0000

Its a trolley for drunk people going home from the bars. I don’t see how you can really use it as a test case at all to be extrapolated for more essential mass transit used by people needing to get to work, home, groceries, etc.

By: John Payne

John Payne — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:24:31 +0000

I agree.

By: Maria

Maria — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:16:28 +0000

“However, if it fails to make money, it’s a good indication that people are not terribly interested in riding a trolley system, so we should save our public dollars for more pressing needs.”

I think that we should apply the same criteria when assessing the building of new roads.