it's here. "You see before you the future," declared Peter Defazio who had the honor of driving the first EmX bus into LTDs Eugene Station. This was the first of five 60 foot diesel electric buses in the EmX fleet that will debut in mid-January for the Franklin Eugene to Springfield route.
The buses with carry a $960,000 price tag can accommodate 100 riders (44 sitting) and include spaces for two wheelchair users and three bicycle-toting riders.
The Franklin Blvd. route cost an estimated $29 million and phase 2, the Pioneer Parkway route will cost an estimated $39 million.
LTD board member Gerry Gaydos, also sought to check expectations, remarking that the "full promise" of rapid-transit buses won't be realized until the entire network is in place. LTD plans to build the second EmX leg along Springfield's Pioneer Parkway, and is eyeing Eugene's West 11th Avenue corridor for its third leg.if you do the math is over $1 billion
Peter Defazio said that rabid buses are perfect for communities "it are big enough for light rail." And he predicts that the EmX will result in "more ridership, more efficiency and more livable future."
but who pays for this? Where's the money coming from for these new Cadillacs of buses? Federal grants? (our tax money) And did you know that employers and people who are self-employed pay a yearly LTD tax to help support this system?
Personally, I still feel that there's a better solution, especially for the amount of funds that are being spent on this project. Money could have been better spent on public safety, schools, road repair and with cheaper and smaller diesel electric buses that do not require a special roadway, could cover more territory, hire more people, transport more people, the more flexible in the routes and cost less than one third for what they're paying for this limited bus system while accomplishing the same goals.
I also question the capacity claims of these buses. 100 passengers, 44 sitting...e.g. they are considering requiring seat belts for school buses, however will that exclude public transportation?
3 comments:
A better way to spend money? You betcha!
You could buy every rider a modest Toyota and bring the roads up to 21st century standards.
One of the drivers told me that for the first year, the bus will be free to ride, eliminating the need to check passes. Although this will make the route faster, the trial run last week, WITH police escorts and making NO stops ran more tha 1 minute behind schedule. I think someone may have laid a rotten egg and it is begining to stink. A very spendy egg, I might add.
when it all falls apart...
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