Train, Train

 https://kstp.com/5-investigates/new-problem-uncovered-on-notorious-pinch-point-for-southwest-light-rail/?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_KSTP-TV&fbclid=IwAR3bBj-2NRoL6Ce501GVOspUbULjSCDRk7jCM4Svh6g1c6H03QZfJYsEKcQ

 

Almost 3 billion dollars, 197 million per mile, and they built the tracks closer together than their approved plans show.   What a bunch of morons.  Who could possibly have thought that building a passenger line through an area that is constricted was a good idea?  Who would have though that they hadn't found out that they needed a tunnel when they approved this?  Who would have thought that finishing the end  before the middle was an excellent idea.   

This light rail expansion is never going to make sense from an ROI perspective.  It theoretically could bring urban workers out to suburban jobs, except it really isn't withing reasonable walking distance of concentrated job options.   It'll be good for the "wealthy" who want to go to Twins, Vikings, or Wolves games and drink too much to drive.  Because subsidizing the wealthy to spend big money going to see a sports team is a good use of tax dollars.   Now, the fact that they pretty much guaranteed that Uber and Lyft won't be able to operate in MPLS, that might push a few people toward the train, but not enough to matter.   At least they've simply given up trying to collect the fares from most of the people that ride, because why bother, right?   

All in all a ridiculous boondoggle, inflicted on taxpayers by an unelected, unaccountable, entity who's primary responsibility is to build over priced train lines that don't get used.    Excellent job Met Council. what's another billion down the drain.

Meanwhile, we have numerous homeless camps throughout the city.