Reply to Bethesda Row after the Purple Line Opens?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]What are the operational costs of additional busses/drivers over a thirty year period vs the operations/maintenance of a light rail line? Trains and trams typ last 40 years or so. Busses quite a bit less. Would more busses and bus operators be needed to approximate the capacity of a light rail line?

There are a lot of interesting questions. I’m sure someone did the research / due diligence. Probably when applying for federal funding many years ago. We’ll have a Purple Line like it or not, and improved access to the Red Line from Bethesda Row. And yes, criminal activity may or may not increase in the area near the new portal. We’ll have to wait until 2028 though because of all the delays and cost overruns. We should’ve all been enjoying it (or regretting it) by now. I do hope the sound walls aren’t too high so the passengers can enjoy the scenic views of Chevy Chase and the golf course. [/quote]
 
It will be nice to use and it's going to be built. However, it was a terrible financial decision. Buses are much better from a financial perspective because it is less costly to expand or reduce capacity in response to demand. The metro will cost hundreds of millions a year regardless of whether anyone actually uses it. If they expand buses and demand is insufficient to justify expanded services they can cut operations (or modify bus routes) at a relatively minimal cost. The metro route is fixed, inflexible and more costly. [/quote]

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