It seems that some read without comprehending. The Delucchi article is talking about the MARGINAL social cost of driving versus using transit. I will quote from page 10: "The marginal cost is the cost of an incremental unit of a resource, as distinguished from the average cost of a great many units." See also the example on page 11.
He is not talking about average cost, nor is he talking about the construction costs. Heavy rail, when talking about transit is subway or commuter rail, not travel cross-country on the Empire Builder. Around here, the transit fares pay about 1/3 of the operating and maintenance costs and the average trip length is a little under 6 miles. Taking a local fare, not express, of $1.25, that means a subsidy of $2.50, which means a subsidy of 40 cents per passenger mile just for O&M costs. I observe that there is a line for unpriced parking, which he downplays in the text. If you are a believer in the idea that no parking should be free, let's start with a requirement that there be meters on all streets within 1/4 mile of a business, service, recreational facility, place of worship, government office, etc. and that the price of the parking will be based upon the current market cost of land in the area it sits on. So-called private parking (homes, churches, the Zoo, whatever) must all install meters. Now ask the businesses on Grand Avenue, Hennepin, Nicollet, Lake, University how they like the idea. Ask your neighbors. If you dislike his conclusions, don't ask me where I calculated the figures because I didn't. Ask the author, who has been doing research at UCTC for at least 10 years and is likely far from being a "post-doc". If you are interested in his background, I'm sure the internet could help you find out. Ad-hominem attacks are usually baseless. Don't make the mistake of using the AAA figures for the average cost per mile of buying a new car every three years, which might be 45 cents if you are buying higher-end cars. My cost per vehicle mile is running about 25 cents, IF I use the current gas prices, over the 15 years that I own a car. However, the miles I drive with one passenger are at 12.5 cents per passenger mile and the miles I drive with three passengers are at 6.25 cents. Chris Johnson quotes studies that say that "efficient user fees might increase the cost of driving a car by 20 to 50 cents per mile, a 200% to 500% increase over current costs." Those who are good with math will understand that if an increase of 20 cents is a 200% increase, that means that the current cost is 10 cents. Can anyone tell from that clip whether they are talking about average costs (well above 10 cents) or marginal costs? He also says that 200% to 500% is magnitudes to him. Most people use the term "orders of magnitude" each of which is a tenfold increase, or 1000%. That is what I was using in my reaction. If he was using an unusual turn of phrase, then he is right. I'm glad to hear that the people of California decided to build lrt instead of freeways. I was under the impression that there was no referendum held and didn't realize that everything was wonderful there because they are all riding the lrt between Sacramento and San Diego. Visit www.effectivetransit.org The Independent Unsubsidized Voice of Citizens for Effective Transit in the Twin Cities (no lrt) * lrt isn't a potato chip, you can stop at just one * Bruce Gaarder Highland Park Saint Paul [EMAIL PROTECTED] TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
