[PRCo] Re: pat__service__cuts__2007.01.23-changed to 2/1/07

[Joshua Dunfield]

John Swindler wrote:
> As for PHL, its changed. (or maybe remembering that there were 6 fare zones 
> and PHL was top of Penna. scale)  That's the problem with being around too 
> long.  Yes, you are correct, Joshua.  It's a $5.50 fare both peak and 
> off-peak.  And on a personal note, the fare change machines at Terminal E 
> station do not work and the fare vending machines at this terminal do not 
> accept the new $10 bills.  At least as of last October.

It's not just Terminal E.  Most of the airport ticket machines and change
machines don't work.  However, it doesn't matter because the conductors
seem to always waive the onboard purchase surcharge.

[...]
> As for cost to build LRT, depends on how much "gold plating" is involved.  
> There was mention at TRB recently of a proposed study to compare 
> US-vs-European practices, which seem to have lower costs.  (the 'gold 
> plating' title goes back to Harvard Business Review article approx. 35 years 
> ago.  It hasn't changed)

That probably goes for busways too.  I don't remember the West Busway cost
per mile but it was much higher than the East Busway.  As a lay observer, 
of course, I have no idea how much of the difference is based on legitimate
differences in engineering requirements.

And anyone arguing for LRT to the airport would have to explain why the
airport is more important than Oakland.  As part of a larger rail system,
airport LRT might make sense.  But of course no one has that discussion
(and how can we when it's a struggle just to keep the system from getting
smaller); the question is always "do we build *this* or nothing at all"...
So we end up with the North Shore extension.

-j.