Toronto has proven with Mayor Ford how crooked politics are there.A new Light Rail line on private right-of-way should not cost over
$ 40 million per mile x 5.5 miles = $ 220 million. A subway will cost
maybe $ 400 million per mile for 5 miles = $ 2 billion. I may be
wrong about 5.5 miles but adjust the cost to fit the mileage.
Both taxpayers and economists will agree you do not invest 80 %
more to gain 15 % in riders. If that were the case, just make transit
free and gain 33 % with no new investment except a few buses.
More to the point is operating efficiency to hold down cost while
attracting as many passengers as possible.
With 31 million annual passengers, Light Rail will probably need
60 car trips for the peak hour. They will cost $ 45 million per year to
operate.
The subway will need 60 cars but it will have to have 72 cars
because Bloor-Danforth schedules will determine how many.
72 cars will cost about $ 48 million per year.
Amortizing the investment annually will cost $ $ 13.2 million per
year for LIght Rail and $ 120 million for the subway. The total
cost will probably be:
Light Rail = $ 58.2 million per year = $ 1.97 per passenger
Subway = $ 168 million per year = $ 9.25 per passenger,
360 % more.
Who in their right mind would pay that.? What other better project
would they give up to pay for this one ? Fares might cover LRT but
sure won't cover subway extension.
If you think I have used the wrong mlleage or see some other
mistake correct it to see what you get.
I can not envision rebuilding Kennedy LRT station or strengthening
the bridge in Scarborough will make much difference as $ 40
million a mile for LRT implies a whole new line. 40 cars and 6
spares will probably cost $ 144 million million. The typical Light Rail
would have less than 46 new cars for 5.5 miles so add $ 144 million
to my $ 220 million for good measure, for more cars still only $ 364
million total and $21.84 million per year plus $ 68.2 million for
operations = $ 90 million total = $ $ 2.90 per passenger, 69 % less
than subway. With subway somebody will have to pay much more.
That is not true at Bloor at Yonge Street where the subway is full,
the subway is less costly than Light Rail with the speed and volume
they get.