UnfairAd7220 t1_j7y11uh wrote on February 10, 2023 at 5:12 AM

Reply to comment by nowhereman1223 in Want passenger rail in Manchester? Make your voice heard by PurpleSubtlePlan

Buses are cheaper, by far, than the operating and capital cost of bringing back rail.

That is no conspiracy.

Reubachi t1_j7ztq1g wrote on February 10, 2023 at 4:14 PM

How often does a governing body use this logic? Not often.

Short term you’re right, but rail is orders of magnitude cheaper to maintain once established than even a brand new maintenance free bus fleet.

UnfairAd7220 t1_j82w5xb wrote on February 11, 2023 at 5:44 AM

Not a chance. The capital cost on that last study was $200M. Fares wouldn't cover the operating expense and the state would be on the hook for $6M in outright subsidy. That doesn't include debt service.

On that basis, in terms of 'short' or 'long' term, 'cheap' doesn't get anywhere near the conversation.