The estimated cost is $2.4 billion. We start with that just to keep in mind that in many - if not most - metropolitan areas, cost estimates for mass transit projects are vastly underestimated. As are future revenues over-estimated for such systems.
Perhaps we should also note that original projections were for the Feds to take on half that cost for us. Maybe because of the shenanigans currently going on in Washington, that share is already being down-sized. (That may be the most realistic idea so far presented!)
So we’re looking at a massive effort by the politicians, and those who will most likely be direct beneficiaries (favored contractors?), to lobby the General Assembly for a tax increase of at least $1,500,000,000 for "central Indiana."
So far, we don’t remember seeing any estimates of revenues in support of the operation of this great boon to the city and the surrounding area. Unfortunately, the backers of this plan are basically the same folks who built a $750,000,000 stadium and only realized upon its completion that, by heck, "It’s going to cost an additional $10 million a year to maintain and operate." Never occurred to them!
Major speculation concerns the tremendous "economic development" that the project will bring. Will this be the same "economic development" which requires unending public subsidy in the millions of tax dollars which is our crutch for professional sports?
There can be no doubt that IndyGo, intra-city public transit - needs major assistance. But the financial history of this city in past decades provides absolutely no reason to believe that a huge pot of money made available will be used wisely - or even for the specific purpose for which it was approved by legislation.
Any legislation adding this outrageous tax burden absolutely must include a mandate for a project-by-project timetable, with appropriate cost and revenue calculations, and with each phase subject to approval by an elected governmental body.
We can fully support the design of an expanded, upgraded transit system which will get an Indianapolis citizen across town between home and job (or shopping or school) efficiently.
We oppose public funds to provide the fast, easy "Palladium to stadium" - or "stadium to Palladium" - route which seems always to be uppermost in the minds of the planners.
And we’ll raise the question one more time. After current projects and multi-million dollar plans are completed on northern city and suburban highways, what is an honest projection of the day-to-day use of the advocated bus/light rail/rapid transit system?
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