bensonelectric.
Max/trimet is a fine transport system, serving Portland well, reducing pollution, attracting investment and creating 2600 jobs, among other attributes. It isn't economically viable in the 'business' sense & never was intended to be- it's a Public Service, Public Funded- a niche market. Your $1.35 ticket only covers 20% of the actual operating cost, taxpayers pick up the rest; fine in context to its stated aims. The Channel Tunnel (the American Society of Civil Engineers called it "One of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World") is funded soley by ticket sales. Went on the web earlier, (it's night here now), - quote was US$480 return, car+2 passengers tomorrow- & that'll be $800 by mid-summer- for a 33 mile return trip. Yet just today the Tunnels' debt, a staggering US$11,800 million is being "re-structured"- ie the shareholders' just lost their shirts.
All this, with 30 million (total all routes)passenger crossings per year- that's 25% of the total populations of France and the UK combined, so no lack of business.
As I said in my previous post- transport is never profitable for long.
Alan
