Stats that show the Atlanta Streetcar was a complete and utter failure of epic proportion (military, centers)

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by krogerDisco

But with no fare, you can get the homeless to pile in. Charging a fare and making it close to self-sustaining is what it's all about. People willing to pay to ride it would demonstrate its value. Latest figures show that it only recovers about 10% of its cost. It qualifies as a failure. It's just for show. A better route should have been chosen.

What's your guarantee that we could have gotten as much federal funding for any other route?

Why should the limited ridership of a limited route cease the further expansions that models show will generate significant additional ridership?

[krogerDisco]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

What's your guarantee that we could have gotten as much federal funding for any other route?

One word....Peachtree.

Why should the limited ridership of a limited route cease the further expansions that models show will generate significant additional ridership?

Doesn't say much for Atlanta leadership does it?

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by krogerDisco

One word....Peachtree.

And the Feds turned down the funding request for that corridor.

[krogerDisco]

Originally Posted by Gulch

And the Feds turned down the funding request for that corridor.

Probably needed to ask Obama, he probably pushed Atlanta's project through. Funny if the Feds really thought the Centennial-MLK loop was the more cost effective route.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by krogerDisco

Probably needed to ask Obama, he probably pushed Atlanta's project through. Funny if the Feds really thought the Centennial-MLK loop was the more cost effective route.

The main reason the Peachtree alignment was turned down was because most of the route paralleled/was on top of an existing rail route (MARTA North Line).

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by krogerDisco

But with no fare, you can get the homeless to pile in. Charging a fare and making it close to self-sustaining is what it's all about. People willing to pay to ride it would demonstrate its value. Latest figures show that it only recovers about 10% of its cost. It qualifies as a failure. It's just for show. A better route should have been chosen.

I agree their should be a fare. Just don't be surprised and call something a "failure" when it results in lower ridership than when it is free.

"Stats show that ice cream was a complete and utter failure of epic proportions (after drop in purchases after stores start charging for it instead of giving it away for free)"

And as others point out, I don't think there is a better route of this size that would have qualified for funding.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by krogerDisco

Probably needed to ask Obama, he probably pushed Atlanta's project through. Funny if the Feds really thought the Centennial-MLK loop was the more cost effective route.

It is not about the cost-effectiveness, but it is also about this project being a economic incentive and encourage redevelopment, which it has. Also, let us not forget the land the VMF sits on is unused for development and will serve future extensions.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by krogerDisco

Probably needed to ask Obama, he probably pushed Atlanta's project through. Funny if the Feds really thought the Centennial-MLK loop was the more cost effective route.

Obama himself? Very doubtful. Anthony Foxx? That's believable.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

Obama himself? Very doubtful. Anthony Foxx? That's believable.

Anthony Foxx and Keith Parker have a relationship going back to when Foxx was Charlotte's mayor and Parker was at CATS.
CATS Executive Director Keith Parker leaving for San Antonio - | WBTV Charlotte

[Mossberg]

How can something that is incomplete be considered a failure? A stub line does not define an entire system.

As it stands today, I have little to no use for the current streetcar line, but if/when those other routes get completed, I will ride the streetcar VERY often, since a line is planned for Capitol Ave and also RDA near my neighborhood.

Perhaps we should not have allowed riders until the full streetcar system was completed to hold of the naysayers. :shrugs:

Sheesh. Let's call it a failure if after the system is fully built out, it still has no riders.