Comments on: Streetcar Desire At CCDC Prompts Notice

By: JIMV

JIMV — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:28:53 +0000

As far as I know no public transport system pays for itself…the highways do not pay for themselves, even the airlines lose money most of the time. The real issue is not making money but getting bottoms on the seats in whatever system is decided on. I contend bus’s are peasant transport and never run full so, I am against the idea. Taking transport that is run half empty, stops every few blocks and never, ever makes a profit, is ….to put it simply, stupid.

By: AlphaDogReporter

AlphaDogReporter — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:59:37 +0000

The Utah rail system is heavily government subsidized and the Utah Transit Authority finally admitted last year that in all likelihood it will never pay for itself – ever (not even close). The same thing will happen with this ridiculous electric train that Bieter wants. Unfortunately, we now are living in a system of government were we have taxation without representation, so look for an electric trolley to go in within a year or two.

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:07:32 +0000

Hey, Fraz

This comment caught my interest:
What’s the Point? says:
Feb 7, 2009, 11:06 am

“…particularly as the road systems improved from dirt to pavement …”

Neither you nor any of your commenters noted that the TAXPAYERS have been paying for (SUBSIDIZING automobiles) paving roads since the 1920’s. No one around here complains when ACHD spends $4,000,000 taxpayer dollars for one intersection, or $12,000,000+ taxpayer dollars for one bridge. In the history of Los Angeles freeway building, spending trillions of tax dollars in “improving” two lane roads to twelve lanes has NOT reduced traffic congestion. Idaho can spend $250,000,000 in tax dollars to make I-84 from Caldwell to Boise into an eight lanes commuter road, but congestion will NOT go away. Final example: the “improving” of Eagle Rd. from 2 lanes to 4 lanes has done nothing more than moved downtown Meridian from Meridian Rd to Eagle Rd, and moved downtown Eagle from State St. to Eagle Rd – developers rejoice.

Jon

By: Serendipity

Serendipity — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:51:26 +0000

brat1: “I lived in Los Angeles when the MTA bought out and tore out the street cars..MTA runs the bus system and GM Buses ! Stunk then and still does.”

I grew up using those LA trolleys as a little kid. The BIG diff. between them and what team Bieter wants is that those trolleys went all over the place,including way out to the beach!
Tearing them up was a bad idea, but then it made room for oh so many zillion more cars, more freeways, and –uh–freeways………

By: Mr. Logic

Mr. Logic — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:13:06 +0000

Hey Wheeler– You could LOGICALLY read the Daily Paper if you don’t like the flip attitude of the G-Man…you wouldn’t get much perspective, but you wouldn’t be offended either.

By: Wheeler

Wheeler — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 05:58:00 +0000

Public debate is a good thing in my opinion too. I find myself caring a great deal about learning all I can regarding the pros and cons of this trolley issue and other issues in the city of Boise. And this website could possibly do a great service and a great deal of good in getting some serious debate going. But I, for one, cannot get past the “Team Dave” crap. It’s childish. It’s bratty and snarky and puts me on the defensive just as I felt with the bullies in grade school. Please, try “Mayor Beiter”, or “The Mayor”, or “Mr. Beiter” for a mature and sincere change. Or, if there is another place on the Internet where I can find some good information on both the pros and cons can you please share that with me? Thanks!

EDITOR NOTE–Wheeler, you are missing the point. The GUARDIAN is not a formal drab traditional chronicle. We (affectionately) have coined phrases such as GROWTHOPHOBE, COMMISHES, GUV, TEAM DAVE, COPPERS, THE DAILY PAPER, among others. In our defense, we try to disallow name calling and send messages to those who truly get “snarky,” asking them to refrain. You will find tons of references in the legacy press from Washington Post to the Telegraph of London (the bloggers are now mainstream) to “Team Obama.” http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=%22team+obama%22&btnG=Search+News

By: brat1

brat1 — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:20:38 +0000

I lived in Los Angeles when the MTA bought out and tore out the street cars..MTA runs the bus system and GM Buses ! Stunk then and still does.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Railway

By: slim jim

slim jim — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:06:45 +0000

I stand (actually, am sitting) corrected on the history of the death of Boise’s trolley. Thank you for your kindness.
Now for something completely different:

google Peel 50 and see the answer to Boise’s traffic situation. Top speed is 38mph so not much need for going over most of the speed limits in town. No reverse, just hop out, pick it up and turn it around. Now THAT is more un-American than riding a bike!

By: Who's on first

Who's on first — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 16:49:51 +0000

Let me be the first to call myself a dumb ass. GM did torpedo the trolleys.

http://www.lovearth.net/gmdeliberatelydestroyed.htm
http://www.culturechange.org/issue10/taken-for-a-ride.htm
http://environment.about.com/od/fossilfuels/a/streetcars.htm

By: Who's on first?

Who's on first? — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:48:34 +0000

Now I’m confused. One person says big oil bought up the trolleys, another says GM. Could we keep it down to one conspiracy theory per topic?