Once More, with Feeling…
Apparently Ben Schiendelman at Seattle Transit Blog just can’t stick to the facts while making an argument about the merits (or lack thereof) of light rail; the Rainier Valley Post suggests that he resorts to personal attacks.
On the Rainier Valley Post, there was discussion in the comments re: the merits of the Sound Transit light rail line through the Rainier Valley- this was posted in the comments (click here):
“editor 11.14.09 at 10:55 am
Two of Ben Schiendelman’s comments have been deleted for violating
the established RVP rules of conduct that prohibit attacking other users: Opinions that are derogatory, attack other users, offer unsubstantiated facts or are offensive in nature can and will be removed as defined by the Terms of Service. The Rainier Valley Post is not responsible for the content posted in this comment section, and reserves the right to remove any offensive remark or thread.
In the future, please present your arguments sans derogatory comments targeted at other users. Thanks.”
Apparently this post is what precipitated his response:
“Fred Quarnstrom 11.13.09 at 4:39 pm
How well is Sound Transit working?
We were told in 1996, 13 years ago that we could have a train from the Airport, actually about a mile from the airport, to the University. It would cost 3.9 billion and take 10 years to complete including a two tunnels one under Beacon Hill the other under Capitol Hill and on to the University.
It would not stop at South Center. Probably 100 times more people go to South Center everyday than go to the Airport. Not going to the Airport was a stroke of genus. We can build a multimillion dollar station in Tukwila. A station that no one will use after the extension goes to the airport. Could it be that the powers downtown do not want people to fly into SeaTac take the train to South Center to shop and stay in hotels at South Center.
Today Sound Transit says it will cost 15 billion and take until 2020 to complete this first stage to the University. Would you like to take odds that it will cost 20 billion and take until 2025? It will not stop on Capital Hill with access to the hospitals and all the medical facilities found there. How silly of us to think people go there.
We are now talking about spending another 25 billion to go to the Eastside and Northgate. This is before cost overruns, read that 50 to 70 billion, maybe more with over runs and inflation. Some have estimated that it costs about $100,000 per person who rides the train. Why not just give them the money, if they promise to stay at home. In the end, it is far less costly and will give better service to put in a better bus system. A bus system simply works better here.
With the exception of the University, we do not have a concentrated end point where the riders will get off or on the train. South Center, maybe; but the train does not go there. Boeing, maybe; but the train does not go there either. The Sports Stadiums, yes; but only a couple of times a week, at the best.
Our waterways make tunneling necessary to join various parts of town, Ballard, West Seattle, Magnolia; and these tunnels are very costly. The only place where a lot of people go a couple of times a day is the University. We do not have a concentration of employment and we go to our workplaces from all over, North , South, the Eastside and even across the sound. Our population and business simply does not lend itself to a train. Buses can provide the service we need at a fraction of the cost. In fact, it has been estimated that 70% of the people on the train have left a bus to do so because their bus route was canceled. Have you stopped and counted the number of people on the trains as they disrupt our traffic on MLK Way? Even during rush hour it is rare to see a dozen people on the train.
Why are the trains not busier? I can make a number of suggestions. There are no park and ride lots near the stations except for the one at Tukwila. The city council will not allow park and ride lots near our stations. However, I did see one city council member park in the Citadel parking and walk across the street to the transit. I would have to walk almost 2 miles up and down two hills to take the transit downtown. It does not go anywhere I want to go . I might take it to the airport but I would have to carry my luggage 2 miles up and down two hills to get there.
There are no restroom facilities. I did ride the train downtown once. I am old and needed to use the facilities when I got there. There are no facilities. I had to go up to street level and either buy something at McDonalds to use their “rooms;” no purchase no relief. I explained that I might just relieve myself right there an then. I was about to loose control. Fortunately Macys had the room and I managed to get there before nature took it course.
Now, if you want to see a real boondoggle go ride the SLUT, South Lake Union Transit. How many billion did that cost us? Somehow it was just slid past us. In the ten or so times I have seen a SLUT go by, I probably have not counted 10 people total. Most trains went by empty. But Vulcan needed it and they and their contractors donated big time when it come time to campaign.
Who should we blame? Our politicians tell us it was the right thing to do. It would be full of passengers. It is green, not green because of its lack of using nonrenewable resources; it is green because of all the greenbacks that have been flushed producing this dinosaur that will never drag itself out of the tar pit. It has not and will not decrease traffic. Its bones will be found by future generations. They will tilt their heads and wonder what lead to this extinction. Its lack of cognitive powers, it small, self-centered, semi functional brain will be the verdict. The only prediction we do not have is how long will it take to be abandoned because we simply cannot afford to spend so much to move so few to where they are not needed and do not want to go.
Activists told us people would flock to the trains. Do we hold them responsible? Of course we do not. If I, as businessman, make bad decisions I go bankrupt, loose my home, my pension and my livelihood. If you are a politician or an activist, they probably name a Sound Transit stop or tunnel after you. You will go on to another job or to champion another cause or retire to a good pension for your “service.” They should be prosecuted for “stupidity.” I guess we expect stupidity from our elected officials.”