If their maintenance costs are based on non-union labor, they are underestimating the true costs of upkeep and labor. Prices will start to rise, then passengers will travel less or use other alternatives more.
A fair question. I would imagine that the answer is a resounding no. In fact, I would imagine that the necessary condemnation project to obtain the land and easements needed to thnk about building a comprehensive rail system would exceed that figure.
Refman makes a good point. Even with eminent domain, it will be a legal fight with residents that are near the construction. Just look at the Ashby highrise, or is it lowrise now, and the ruckus it caused.
You're missing the point. If you provide alternative means of transportation, extremely large freeways are uneccessary.
You could do a lot for public transportation in Houston for 3 billion. You could build the University Line, and also make many improvements in the bus system. Even build one or two BRT lines.
Finite costs can be allocated and additional economic gains incorporated over such a long time that a positive return is almost guaranteed.
Would be amazing to have the TGV here...but realistically many people are gonna fight this tooth and nail...ie(residents that are gonna be affected by the proposed routes, bus industry, airline industry...basically anyone that stands at losing money in this proposed deal...)
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Bringing up Robert Moses makes you look totally uneducated and ignorant on this topic. But what else is new
Well first thing I guess I'd be curious about is timing of the rail if we did manage to achieve it. Right now It takes about 4 hours or give or take traffic time and speeders to get to Dallas from Houston. If they are saying that we will be riding at 205mph (3-4 times the speed on a freeway), that may be of interest to businesses (especially textile businesses). Is there a projected ETA on project with different payment systems (Federal funded vs private investments)? Will this project interfere with other important projects (freeway expansions, road expansions, etc.)? What kind of environmental impact will this make on the City of Houston and Dallas, along with all the cities the rail passes over. Will there be other lines going to other cities/ or stops from Houston to Dallas? Is the money we plan on putting into this system slowing down our metro rail that is supposed to be running throughout inner 610? Could the funds we are potentially using on this be used for better transportation services for the surrounding area (Subway system, train system, trolly system) to get us around Houston instead of OUT of Houston? Sorry, I am hyped up on coffee and pain meds atm.
