There is an old saying the are always some people don’t get the word. The last ones to get the word are usually politicians. It’s true in Mesa where the power elites who love to spend other people’s money to hasten the city’s bankruptcy want to extend the mega-million dollar money pit called [...]
|
|||||
|
Arizona Republic: “Valley rail planners are asking a million-dollar question: Would south Phoenix residents ride a light-rail line enough to justify building one? Valley Metro, the agency that built and runs the 20-mile starter light-rail line, is weeks away from picking a consultant to provide the answer. Armed with a $400,000 congressional earmark [...] A story in the Arizona Republic about Phoenix – Tempe – Mesa lite rail officials cracking down on riders who do not purchase a ticket to ride inadvertently revealed more proof that lite rail is a financial money bomb. Here’s some of the revelations contained in the story: Rather than force riders to [...] Arizona Republic: “In the last fiscal year, 10 million Valley Metro fares were lost as bus riders returned to their cars or found other forms of transportation, according to figures released by the agency that oversees public transit throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area.” When the economy sours and there is an [...] The Phoenix Business Journal reports that the people who like to spend other people’s money are planning a $200 million dollar 3.1 mile extension of the 20 mile light rail line that ends in Mesa, Arizona. These people are unaware of or simply don’t care about Mesa’s deficit financial condition and the reality [...] Arizona Republic: “Across the Valley, nine bus routes will be eliminated, including two local routes, three express routes and four neighborhood circulators. . . . The light-rail system also is reducing service for the first time since opening in late 2008. Peak hours will be shortened, and during that time Metro will run [...] Arizona Republic has a story entitled “Phoenix area bus riders left waiting amid transit cutbacks.” It states: “Today, Valley bus riders will once again have to cope with fewer routes, less-frequent buses and shorter hours as the regional system revamps 50 lines. . . . but for some cities they represent the fourth [...] Washington Post: “As Washington’s public transit network grows more congested, with Metro projecting ‘unmanageable’ levels of saturation on its rail system by 2020, the phenomenon of people taking up more than their share of space is becoming increasingly touchy.” Arizona Republic: “Veolia Transportation is laying off 20 people this month as a result of budget cuts Tempe made to its bus operations. . . . Restructuring and cuts to bus routes are estimated to save $1.2 million annually. Reductions to Tempe’s light-rail services are estimated to save $378,000 annually.” Arizona Republic: “Imagine boarding a train in Queen Creek and arriving 35 minutes later at a restaurant on Tempe’s Mill Avenue, then hopping back on board for a 10-minute jaunt to Chase Stadium in downtown Phoenix. That could be possibile someday, say transit planners with the Maricopa Association of Governments. . . . [...] Valley Metro will reduce its light rail service to save $1.6 million in operating expenses. Metro has $33 million to spend lose for its fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010. The Phoenix City Councel voted to pay $27 million that it does not have to Veolia Transportation so Veolia will cancel [...] The State of Arizona is $3.2 billion in the whole. Phoenix has a budget deficit of $244 million. Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, the three cities that participate in the 20 mile light rail system, are cutting bus services because of lack of funds. Buses serve more people and cost substantially less than light [...] Mesa will have to cut services because it is $20 million in the hole. It tax revenue has decreased by $110 million since 2006, which has forced it to layoff 570 full time people. More layoffs are expected, but don’t look for it to cut one big money pit, light rail. A downtown Phoenix high rise condo development called One Lexington is the first advertiser to place ads on a Phoenix light rail station. It has four ads in downtown Phoenix. Light rail people estimate that the light rail will generate $350,000 of ad revenue in its first year. Arizona Republic: “Faced with a much larger budget shortfall than expected, the Phoenix City Council might shut down ALEX, the Ahwatukee Local Explorer circulator bus, and four similar free neighborhood bus programs in other parts of the city.” The city may cut similar service in Deer Valley, Desert Ridge, Maryvale and Sunnyslope. Does [...] If you ride the Phoenix area light rail, watch out for the train police. The Phoenix area light rail works on the honor system. To date, there is no system in place to take tickets or insure that riders have paid or are riding on a pass. It’s the honor system. There may [...] The Arizona Republic has a story today that because the City of Phoenix’ severe money problems, it is considering reducing service during peak hours to “save” money. The City Council may vote to reduce light rail service during its busiest times so it can continue service during its least busiest times. Final say [...] Phoenix Business Journal: “The Metro light rail and CBS Outdoor, which is running advertising sales for the transportation network, have nabbed their first contract since CBS took over the work in October. A wrapped train touting Grand Canyon University will makes its debut this Sunday and run for six months. The contract value has not [...] |
|||||
|
Copyright © 2009-2013 C KEYTLaw's Law Blog, LLC - All Rights Reserved Powered by WordPress & Atahualpa |
|||||
Click to Follow Us!