Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Eventually we will all pay for it, but what could be better right now? It would be a great way to spend our tax money and we get to benefit. There are far more people in this part of NM that would actually use it and see their taxes used for something important that affects us locally. Maybe it will even bring more high paying jobs to the southwest? Any feedback about this?
Eventually we will all pay for it, but what could be better right now? It would be a great way to spend our tax money and we get to benefit. There are far more people in this part of NM that would actually use it and see their taxes used for something important that affects us locally. Maybe it will even bring more high paying jobs to the southwest? Any feedback about this?
I agree. With the Spaceport and other developments - the new convention center, influx of military personnel, etc. - it is crucial that we get better connected via public transportation. And, I believe that it will encourage tourism in all of the connected cities as well as making it that much easier to visit family, enjoy an out-of-town show - the possibilities are endless
Secretary LaHood Visits to Discuss Our Transportation Needs
And maybe even a little closer to reality. The secretary of transportation was in town to meet with elected officials to discuss transportation projects for the Las Cruces area. It sounds like he was very impressed with what he saw:
"U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood praised local plans to meet future transportation needs Wednesday, and said the region is well position [sic] to compete for federal funding for projects such as commuter rail service between Las Cruces and El Paso."
Surely the Federal government will NOT pay for the whole thing...which means the state of Texas along with the state of New Mexico will have to contribute...which means it won't ever happen, becasue Texas will never play ball.
And maybe even a little closer to reality. The secretary of transportation was in town to meet with elected officials to discuss transportation projects for the Las Cruces area. It sounds like he was very impressed with what he saw:
"U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood praised local plans to meet future transportation needs Wednesday, and said the region is well position [sic] to compete for federal funding for projects such as commuter rail service between Las Cruces and El Paso."
Kudos to all of our elected officials, including Harry Teague, who presented our city in such a positive light.
That Las Cruces Sun-News article is no longer on line. The above event occurred in May 2009, 16 months ago, or earlier. Congressman Teague is no longer in office. I don't see any new information on the Rail Runner running to El Paso...
That Las Cruces Sun-News article is no longer on line. The above event occurred in May 2009, 16 months ago, or earlier. Congressman Teague is no longer in office. I don't see any new information on the Rail Runner running to El Paso...
Yeah, they archive stuff pretty quickly
Secretary LaHood came out in October of this year (as per the now archived article) and the city presented a very comprehensive multi-modal transportation model for the future. It included adding rail between LC and El Paso as well as adding public transportation along the corridor to the SpacePort. According to reports I read, including the no-longer active link, the Secretary was very impressed at the high level of preparation and the professional presentation.
It is too bad that (at least) two of the key players - Jeff Steinborn and Harry Teague - were voted out of office. However, I remain hopeful that since the 'ball' is already in play, we will still be on the radar when the funds are allocated.
The bus between LC and El Paso has proven successful and that was regarded as the trial run to determine a baseline with regard to interest in having public transport between the two cities. Ridership continues to increase despite virtually no publicity. It's a good thing.
If nothing else, I think that the completion of the SpacePort will go a long way to improve our chances
Its annual operating expenses are more than $24 million, and it earns only approximately $3 million from fares.
Both Diane Denish and Susana Martinez have promised to take a serious look at the Rail Runner’s operations.
In a Sept. 24 article in the Santa Fe New Mexican, Martinez echoes Denish’s promises: “We need to explore how the train can become more of a self-sustaining operation and less reliant on taxpayer dollars.”
That's because they use the funkymonkey accounting method:
Just mention the initial build cost, but don't actually account for it in any way.
The $500 million or so to build it, needs to be accounted for, but
governments don't really use GAAP when accounting for capital items.
If a corporation ( other than a big bank, of course ) used
such accounting methods, people would go to jail for fraud.
The Las Cruces to El Paso route would not require new tracks, just some kind of rental for use of existing tracks, renovation of existing stations, and some parking lots. It would still operate at a deficit, but then building, widening, and maintaining toll-free highways isn't cheap either.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Secretary LaHood Visits to Discuss Our Transportation Needs
