Posted on 03/30/2019 3:14:40 PM PDT by JeepersFreepers
Whether it’s the Washington, D.C., streetcar, California’s bullet train, or New York’s Second Avenue subway, public-transit projects are almost always disruptive, delayed, over budget or underused—if not all of the above. Add another example to the list: a dead-end bus line in Albuquerque, N.M.
Today, more than 16 months after Mayor Berry hopped on ART’s first ride, the bus lanes are empty. In 2016 the city paid $23 million for a fleet of 18 all-electric buses from the Chinese company Build Your Dreams. The system for charging the buses’ batteries proved faulty, and city inspectors found problems with the air conditioning, door and braking systems. Most of the buses were deemed unsafe, and Mr. Keller announced in November that the city would return them and instead order 10 old-fashioned buses from an American manufacturer. Those buses won’t arrive until at least 2020.
The boondoggle has cost New Mexico taxpayers. The ART price tag, originally $100 million, has ballooned 33%.
It’s anyone’s guess when Albuquerque Rapid Transit will get up and running. From what we’ve seen so far it’s doubtful this public-transit project will meet its goals—or that politicians in Albuquerque, or anywhere else, will learn the right lessons from its failure.
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
Ex-Mayor Berry is a Republican, unfortunately. He insisted on this boondoggle that nobody wanted.
Add Cincinnati’s Street car system. Our Kids on Kouncil never got a train set for Christmas, so they bought a big one at taxpayers expense.
As Rush often says “This is too easy.”
Californians said in polls they really strongly truly want rapid transit trains——but want someone else to ride on them.
The corrupt Mayor Berry rode on a designated transit bus and now the lanes are still empty, Seattle streetcars don’t fit (oops) and every city and town has a few failed transit stories (the Detroit megahuge People Mover system that shrank to a tiny tourist spot tour area near downtown sports arenas and a few parking areas farther out (when they can keep it running) instead of the 8 mile reach they envisioned and spent tens of millions of dollars planning.
Build Your Dreams.
What an appropriate name.
All aboard for the AOC special, coming down the line!
Thanks for the correction. So Berry is a despicable RINO!
Albuquerque Rapid Transit, moving Mexicans rapidly through Albuquerque.
It never stops.
Ping.
Milwaukeestan, WI has its, ‘Bridge To Nowhere’ which was made famous by The Blues Brothers when they used it in a car chase scene. It STILL goes nowhere needed!
Now Mayor Barrett is fixated on Trolley Cars!
Yep. Blue city. 100%.
Oy! These people!
Alba-koi-kee took a left turn a LONG time ago.
I remember when all the buses in Atlanta (we called them “trollys” then, even though they looked like buses) ran on electricity from overhead lines. Except for the limited routing, it worked pretty well.
Should have got the monorail instead..
They built a commuter train here in Orlando a few years ago. There have been a series of accidents, some fatal. Also, it’s running a huge unanticipated cash deficit and none of the local governments want to contribute toward it.
Apparently, the Chinese were having a dream that involved a bunch of New Mexico sheep getting fleeced.
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