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Aug 14, 2011
Economics, Heavy Rail, Sunday Statshot

Sunday Statshot with Nick Chu: Public Transport Profitability – Hong Kong’s MTR (Mass Transit Railway)

In terms of financial viability, public transportation in North America is a perpetual loser. However, rumours have it that some transit agencies abroad break even or even make a profit. So let us take a closer look into one of these transit agencies –  Hong Kong’s MTR (Mass Transit Railway) – and see if its...

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Jul 06, 2011
Economics

A Massive Learning Opportunity

Light Rail only exists in cities as a form of public transit. Subways and metros only exist in cites as a form of public transit. BRT only exists in cites as a form of public transit. Cable Propelled Transit and Urban Gondolas only exist in . . . oh, wait a minute. As it currently...

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Jun 20, 2011
Economics

Is Public Transportation 340% More Expensive Than It Needs To Be?

Cable Propelled Transit systems could prove a boon to public transportation scholars and researchers because the technology’s curious history could open up the ‘black box’ of public transportation funding in the developed world and throw into question our entire model of how we build things that move other things. Because cable has a long history...

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Jun 08, 2011
Economics

Vancouver / Burnaby Urban Gondola: A Sample Of Things To Come?

If the planners are to be believed, the new Vancouver / Burnaby Urban Gondola Transit system will cost $120 million CAD, instead of the $69 million CAD initially reported. Consider how similar the Burnaby gondola is to – say – the Koblenz Rheinseilbahn or Whistler’s Peak 2 Peak and you realize that $120 million is...

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