Posted on 02/11/2010 6:55:32 AM PST by Willie Green
Forty years ago, I rode the "South Shore" daily, about 50 miles into downtown Chicago. It was great. It was on-time, efficient, all-electric, virtually nonpolluting and was safe, and I didn't have to drive the Dan Ryan Expressway.
However, fast-forwarding 40 years, I contend anyone advocating any investment either private or public for any ground-based rail systems have simply not done their research. Polk County should not wait for high-speed rail if we can get funds for a 21st century monorail system which could connect to Orlando's "antique, light rail." There are many monorail manufacturers offering modular systems worthy to have the name Lego and perhaps Lakeland Electric and/or others could showcase any solar-power expertise.
The footprint of these systems is small and, being elevated, they do not even cross with ground transportation like highways, interstate highways or existing rail. We're also blessed with enough acreage to provide inexpensive parking for riders. We could also subsidize riders in return for part-time (nonunion) employment, lowering operating costs. Free ridership or employment is never guaranteed.
Like the Seattle monorail system, which was meant to be torn down within a few years after the 1962 World's Fair but couldn't be, because it was simply too efficient and too profitable, and is still there today, we could certainly build a 21st-century example for the rest of the country.
No other system can easily be molded into what the public wants and needs. We could say to high-speed rail, OK, we're ready, no matter where you put your Polk County stop.
I was 13 when I rode Seattle's monorail and now I'm 60. It would be so cool if I could ride Polk County's version.
They still do, but it gets pretty hot in the summer, cold and wet in the winter, plus they still pay illegals to get in your face between resort properties handing out their trashy 'escort service' fliers.
The 'Ace' and 'Deuce' bus service is very popular and doing well. The monorail requires a tramp through a casino to get to the stations and still doesn't go downtown, or to the airport.
Well a majority of people don’t like trains or monorails... They prefer to fly or drive.. Plain and simple..
Well places with high speed rails, monorails, The “El” in Chicago have been money losers.. Plain and simple..
I’ve enjoyed walking the strip. It sounds almost like ‘visitors to disneyworld are desparate to avoid going on the rides’:)
If I were the King of Las Vegas the first leg of the monorail would have been from the airport baggage claim to the lower strip. I’d then extend it down the center of the strip towards downtown with 3 stops along the strip between Excalibur and the Stratosphere and 1 in downtown.
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