Hard to know...

...where to start!  Reference the IBJ article headlined, "Mass Transit campaign floods market with $1 million."  That money is, naturally, some of that free federal stuff.

But at least one can see why we get bashed constantly with puff pieces about the "need" for mass transit.  The story lists eleven "local media/marketing firms" which are among the recipients, including two TV stations.  We say "among" because the article does NOT list any of the print media in the city.  We seem to remember seeing a few ads therein.

Here is the federal government spending a million bucks to persuade people to spend more than a billion bucks, about half of which will be some more of free federal stuff (FFS).

We know that, in Washington, no one even notices if a million dollars just falls off the table.  But we refuse to admit that idiotic financial irresponsibility there justifies the same approach here.  It’s even worse when that expenditure of a Million bucks is for the purpose of hyping the Billion dollar outlay.

Despite earlier pronouncements that after all a rail line, as opposed to buses, is probably not feasible, this and other stories in the media continue present that as one of the potential "improvements" in the transit system.

The article refers to three "rapid transit lines."  The "Red Line" will run "...north and south through downtown, from Carmel to Greenwood."  We’ve caught a little flak by referring to a Stadium-to-Palladium concept.  But the fact is that a map, issued by the proponents of the boondoggle and showing potential routes, has the Red Line ending up precisely at the Palladium!

Printed off the internet, this story is two pages of fairly small print.  The last two sentences fascinated us.

"But opponents of the plan point out that the system is estimated to cost $136 million a year to operate and maintain by 2021.  Taxpayers, rather than fare-box revenue, typically foot the largest share of transit system costs."

Yes, that’s our emphasis.  But it’s not much opposition to all the FFS, or the local BS (Biased Sludge) financed by the FFS, is it?  Unfortunately, nobody’s buying our ink for us!

Comments

[Leslie Baker]

The supposed "Green Line" will run not far from where I live. The train to the State Fair runs down the same track for three weeks every August several times a day and is noisily obnoxious every time it has to blow its horn before crossing a street.

I recently saw an article that said we could expect these various lines to support trains going out every five minutes. Surely this can't be a serious option...? The piece I saw made references to multiple stops and (apparently) bus stop-like benches and shelters. Where, exactly, are they going to put these? Are they going to use eminent domain laws to set them up in people's backyards?

Just how awful can I expect this neighborhood intrusion to be? If I decide to sell my house, I'll be sure to tell them that they'll be on the city sewer any time now. We were told when we moved here that we'd be on city sewer by 2008. Twelve and a half years in this house and we're still on a septic system. But we had a Super Bowl in Indy, so that should more than make up for it, right?

[Mark Small]

Excellent that you make, Mr. McCarthy. Among the first "serious" novels I read was "Babbitt," by Sinclair Lewis. The same dynamics are at work here in Indy, as they were in his fictional Zenith, nearly 100 years later.
As to Leslie's comments, and these only are educated guesses on my part (no doubt guesses as much as the City's, but certainly less-compensated)---1) In fairness, the light rail probably will be far less noisy than the current tracks, but the price tag will be high; 2) Unless ridership is sufficient, the five-minute intervals predicted are stuff of a pipe dream; 3) Where rights-of-way are not established already, one would infer eminent domain would be exercised (Q: Have people w/inside info already bought some of those parcels?); and 4? We got the Super Bowl. The hype that went with it is of the same matter that in large part fills your septic tank; don't frown (as I think a song says), be happy---for the politicians and backers who will profit from this.

[Gene Poole]

The John Galt line is the only acceptable alternative, to the pick pocket express.

[Louis]

Marion County has a horrid Public Transportation System. I would be in favor in more busses, and routes. There should be a fairly exact calculation of the costs of adding say 50 more busses, which would include the busses themselves, maintenance, and employee costs.

The Stadium to Palladium Rail Line, will probably have "extra" trains on the days the Colts play, and perhaps a low cost shuttle from the Stadium Station to the Pacers stadium the nights the Pacers Play, or Justin Bieber makes an appearance at either venue.

Corporate Welfare and Crony-Capitalism is the driving force here, and in Indiana at the Local or State Level we can depend on the Republicrat Party to come through with big 10 course meal for the insiders.

[Jiim Fuquay]

I am not quite as skeptical as the other commenters. I am expecting most of the costs to be flushed out and debated before any ground is broken. I believe the "local vote" on local tax will demand this information surface. I don/t think noise will be a big issue and I don't think "more buses" is the answer. Buses are labor intensive and cumbersome and frankly antiquated. Buses can be used to supplement the major rail routes to extend the system to more specific areas. This is what is done in other major cities with evolved transportation systems. We need a balance of costs vs quality of life cosiderations. So far, the opponents that resist any movement toward a better transportation system are overly concerned about costs.

[Gene Poole]

Tell you what Jim / 3/17, 11:05AM: Additional demands on taxpayers to pay for the transportation of other people is an issue of proper not over concern. An informed local vote will require equitable exposure & promotion of both sides of this issue.