High Speed ferry coming to you........ (taxes, commute, money)

[DUNNDFRNT]

Originally Posted by thethinktank

If it were cheap, it would be a pretty awesome way to commute to work. But the $24M price tag pays for two 250-passenger vessels and all the amenities required to run the system. Given that the proposed route would ferry people between Southern Hillsborough, Channelside, MacDill, Downtown St. Pete and back, even at a constant cruising speed of 40mph it would take two hours to complete that circuit including standing time. So at capacity, you're moving 500 people at a time throughout a two hour circuit. That really isn't pulling many cars off the road at all.

Yea thats crazy why Channelside and St Pete, maybe they could just do AP to MCdill during peak hours, 5-10 3-7 then do the round circuit the rest of the day, it could be a touristy thing to do as well. That is some expensive boats.

[Pragmaticus]

Originally Posted by jsun556

I am NOT ok with spending that money on a ferry service to allow those people that CHOSE to live that far away from the base. They likely chose to live that far because the housing is far cheaper there. They decided to make that choice.

Turanchik sounds like a New Yorker trying to bring the Hudson ferry service to Tampa Bay. Only a couple huge issues. Tampa Bay is much large than the Hudson, and the population is far less dense.

Now you have a problem with the reporter?

You can simply state your opinion and make your case if you want others to give attention to what you write, IMO.

[EngGirl]

Originally Posted by thethinktank

I didn't say "per day", and the incorrect assumption is yours:



The $24M investment does not cover fuel, maintenance and depreciation costs. Buses, for example, have a 10-12 year usage life and land vehicles cost much less to maintain and operate. It's likely that after 30 years, you'd be ready to purchase your third generation of high speed ferries. Additionally, due to new technologies, future ferry generations would likely increase in purchase and maintenance costs.

Well, I was just correcting your "rough math", don't take it personal I wasn't the one who decided to show off my math skills

[EngGirl]

Originally Posted by thethinktank

Absolutely! In the interest of avoiding straw-man arguments and staying on the topic of high speed ferry, I'll keep them to myself to share in a separate thread.

I'm certainly comfortable (and not at all afraid) sharing, but in the interest of civility and keeping on topic, my mouth is shut.

What a great answer when you have nothing to say

[thethinktank]

Originally Posted by EngGirl

Well, I was just correcting your "rough math", don't take it personal I wasn't the one who decided to show off my math skills

No personal offense taken.

[craigtnelson]

Originally Posted by EngGirl

What a great answer when you have nothing to say

All I can gather is that he thinks it makes more sense to throw money at other solutions that will cost far, far more in taxpayer dollars in regards to start up, fuel, and depreciation... and will benefit other parts of the county, since he is apparently dead set on penalizing people for living in certain areas for an as-of-yet unexplained reason.

Nevermind that there is no guarantee that any other solution will work since the region is vastly spread out and there is no core job center. How do we know Tampaniacs will use light rail? We don't. People around here are very resistant to change.

[thethinktank]

Originally Posted by EngGirl

What a great answer when you have nothing to say

I'm not going to be baited into a straw man argument when you're clearly waiting with a torch in your hands. There are plenty of reactionaries here that will play those games with you, though.

[thethinktank]

Originally Posted by craigtnelson

All I can gather is that he thinks it makes more sense to throw money at other solutions that will cost far, far more in taxpayer dollars in regards to start up, fuel, and depreciation... and will benefit other parts of the county

I've said nothing of the sort. In fact, about this specific topic, I've already offered a lower-cost suggestion as an alternative to the high speed ferry.

Originally Posted by craigtnelson

since he is apparently dead set on penalizing people for living in certain areas for an as-of-yet unexplained reason.

I've suggested penalizing no one. You understand what a penalty is, right?

[craigtnelson]

Still waiting for your alternative solution for folks along the south Hillsborough corridor.

[thethinktank]

Originally Posted by craigtnelson

Still waiting for your alternative solution for folks along the south Hillsborough corridor.

And I'm still waiting for the problem.