FasTracks’ bilge taking on water
The Regional Transportation Department continues to attempt various sleights of hand with FasTracks. The whoosh of noise here is not progress, as with T-REX and other projects, but Capt. Joseph Hazelwood of Exxon Valdez fame trying to talk over the sound of glacial gashes to port and starboard.
On March 7, RTD sent a trial balloon that using heavy diesel in some corridors could save up to $200 million. Nice attempt at trying to divert new headlines that FasTracks cost overruns could hit 65 percent of what was “sold” to the voter.
Without effective project management, FasTracks will run RTD aground.
Corridor cost overruns, poor fleet management and irreparable environmental damage are the tip of the iceberg. Maybe it is time to review the rising costs forecast to keep RTD on life support post 2013.
Colorado’s elected should seek a time out and benchmark review all FasTracks corridors with T-REX before our environment, neighborhoods and mass transit system are trashed in the name of good bureaucratic progress.
Jon McCormick, Denver
It's blatantly obvious that Jon has no idea what he's talking about. That so-called preliminary budget that showed FasTracks possibly being $2.5 billion over budget was completely wrong, up to and including a double charge of roughly $800 million, which even the authors of the study said should have been taken out of the equation.
Besides, RTD has a EXCELLENT track record at cost management with the building of the current light rail system. Why do you really believe it will be otherwise for FasTracks? For the record, I do agree that T-Rex was incredibly well-managed, and I really do hope FasTracks is managed the same way overall.
Aaron
RTD would make sense if someone actually used it and it actually went somewhere people wanted to go. Otherwise it's a total waste of taxpayer's money, which is normal for Denver politicos.
By the way, has anyone seen any of the Referendum C money?
Posted by on April 3, 2007 08:52 AMI dont like taking the train. There are stinky people on them.
Posted by Rich M on April 3, 2007 09:22 AMGod, what a bunch of idiots we have here on these forums/threads!
Plenty of people (many tens of thousands per day) use RTD... The bus system is far and away one of the best in the nation, especially regarding it's near complete coverage of the metro area, as well as the mountain/foothills communities.
Mr. Anonymous sounds like Jon Caldara... :(
Aaron
RTD needs to bring back Ben Mew, and give him an ice scrapper.
Posted by Runnin Hot on April 3, 2007 12:19 PMIf anyone really thinks RTD can deliver the FasTracks project it promised the voters in the budget they requested, I have a great deal on a parcel of land .......
Posted by on April 3, 2007 01:34 PMWho is Ben Mew? and what is an ice scrapper?
Posted by Curious on April 3, 2007 01:34 PMSomeone actually using public transit? Please, leave your SUV at home for a day and actually use the system. During rush hour, the light rail and several busses are standing room only, and often more like a can of sardines. If anything, too many people use it for the capacity.
More train cars for rush hour please.
Posted by Kyle on April 3, 2007 02:45 PMRTD = Reason To Drive
Posted by on April 3, 2007 06:57 PMBring back Doug Connor too!
Posted by on April 4, 2007 12:09 AMCurious
In answer to your question, Ben Mew was a Rambo type, who drove buses for Denver Metro Transit and later RTD out of the old Alameda Division at Alameda and Santa Fe back in the 70's. He became a legend among RTD drivers as to his exploits for many years after he left.
An ice scrapper was a long piece of pipe that had a flat piece of metal welded to one end. It's purpose was to keep the stairwells of buses clear of snow and ice buildup during bad weather for passenger safety. In practice they were used by some drivers as weapons when they were attacked. Ben was legendary in using ice scrappers. After one incident after a bus driver was severly beaten with one by a passenger, they were removed by RTD from all buses. Hope that answers your questions.