The Desperate Statements for a Failed Rail Project

Honolulu's sewers ate Mayor Hannemann's rail. See

Sewer settlement will cost Honolulu $4.7 billion over 25 years

Recall that in 2008 when we voted for rail and 50.6% said yes, the cost of the rail was $4.6 Billion. Now sewers alone are costing us $4.5 Billion.

Now compare items (1) and (2) below to get a sense of the mayor's desperation.

(1) MUFI HANNEMANN

(Wed., July 14, 2010)—Mayor Mufi Hannemann today said he is very pleased that Congressman Jim Oberstar, chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, yesterday publicly referred to Honolulu’s rail project “the premier transit project in the entire country.”

(2) ACTUAL FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION ASSESSMENT

We are listed in Preliminary Engineering for 2011

No money for Honolulu this year

Read Page 139 BARELY passable overall MEDIUM rating.

Capital Costs gets a Low rating

Operating Costs etc. gets a Medium-Low rating

Capital Cost Estimates, Planning Assumptions, and Financial Capacity: Low

· Assumptions regarding growth in GET revenues and Section 5309 bus discretionary funds are

optimistic compared to historical experience. Financing costs appear to be understated.

· The capital cost estimate is considered reasonable.

· The financial plan show the City has little ability to address funding shortfalls or cost increases.

The GET surcharge revenues that will be applied to project-related debt service provide very slim Operating Cost Estimates, Planning Assumptions, and Financial Capacity: Medium-Low

· Assumptions regarding state operating subsidies and growth in rail unit operating costs and bus and paratransit operating costs are optimistic compared to historical experience.

· The operating cash flow assumes a balanced budget, with no accrual of an operating surplus or reserve.

Abandoned, Unfinished, Elevated Rail ... For the Children

When all arguments in favor of a six billion dollar elevated rail boondoggle on Oahu prove to be myths, then proponents say, "we need rail for the sake of our children."

Unfortunately, they fail to realize that the six billion rail is heavily mortgaged and payments will be heavy and permanent "for the children."

Here is how an abandoned, unfinished, elevated rail can be turned into an asset for the children.



This story has two lessons:
(1) Elevated rail can be stopped and abandoned long after construction has started.
(2) A playground is a far better and far more affordable quality-of-life addition than ugly elevated rail.

America's Energy Policy...

... managed by politicians.

A brilliant 7-minute summary by Jon Stewart.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-june-16-2010/an-energy-independent-future

Politicians anyone?

Why Cities Are Broke or, There is Something Tragic About a Train...

Nick Gillespie is editor in chief of Reason.tv and Reason.com. He asks... "Why cities are broke or, there is something tragic about a train or a light rail system or a streetcar boondoggle that just makes people (well, pols and their civilian enablers) wet their pants over the prospect of tossing 19th-century technology and 21st century debt obligations at cities and states and countries that are already dead broke." It's a great brief that you can read HERE.

New Rail Systems – Obama Administration Position is Loud and Clear, but Hawaii Politicians Too ______ to Hear

Published in Hawaii Reporter: New Rail Systems – Obama Administration Position is Loud and Clear, but Hawaii Politicians Too ______ to Hear