New Study Demolishes Anti-Streetcar Arguments; Project Benefits Means It More than Pays for Itself

[lowkell]

This study focuses on a project in Virginia, but its findings presumably apply to just about any streetcar project in America.

http://bluevirginia.us/diary/11290/new-study-demolishes-antistreetcar-arguments-project-brings-jobs-development-tax-revenues

[Gman]

1. The study seems to base conclusions on

some pretty lofty assumptions. Anybody can generate a report to back up an argument. "If you build it they will come" isn't always true.

[Gormy Cuss]

2. Right, but there is a body of evidence of the effect of adding similar mass trans

in similar metro areas, so the consultants' estimates should stand up under scrutiny if properly estimated.

[Gman]

3. One thing I know is city staff goes to seminars

That teach them how to put the best face on an issue. A friend that was a city manager described it to me. So I'm skeptical about these things unless it's a completely independent (ie not paid for by the city or potential contractors or anyone else that stands to gain monetarily) as they always put the best face possible on issues like this. We have the very sane thing going on here in San Antonio and they want to spend 3/4 of a billion in it. Aside from the construction jobs that are temporary, the rest are low wage tourist industry jobs.