South Shore train to close indefinitely because of Congressional mandate

[rambone]

The historic South Shore rail line that connects Northwest Indiana to Chicago will close indefinitely beginning January 1st, 2016. That is the date in which the U.S. Congress is imposing a massive system upgrade called "Positive Train Control," or PTC. The mandate will cost the locally-run railway a whopping $120,000,000 to implement, far surpassing its $18M annual budget.

The only hope for the train to remain open is for the U.S. Congress to grant the South Shore an "extension" on the deadline of its onerous mandate.

South Shore Line and local leaders react to commuter train closing - Fox 28: South Bend

 

[Dosproduction]

is this true? What the f. I take this every day to get to work.

 

[indykid]

I wonder what would happen if the rail line owners said no?

Positive Train Control came about because engineers either were human and made mistakes or were stupid and people died.

Once again the feds sticking their noses in business. At some point everything we do will need approval from Big Mother Government.

And if the South Shore Line says NO will there be enough people standing up for them against the feds? Oh wait, that would be called a revolution and hastily put down, never mind.

 

[pudly]

I wonder what would happen if the rail line owners said no?

Actually, they already said yes. The law that enabled this was supported by the Association of American Railroads in 2008 after a nasty 2-train accident. What has South Shore Line been doing for the last 7 years knowing that this requirement was coming?

 

[HoughMade]

Budgeting 43 million for the job and trying to find a bid lower than 120 million.

 

[actaeon277]

Looks like a cure that kills the patient.

South Shore transports 3.5 million or so annually.
So a lot of people now going to have to worry about cars.
More road traffic, cause the roads aren't already busy enough.
And parking, them cars gotta park someplace.

 

[indykid]

Thanks for the updates on what will soon be added traffic on the already overburdened and crumbling roads.

 

[nascarfantoo]

I'm sure all the road vehicles will help the environmental issue too.

 

[Leadeye]

More likely the legislation was aimed at forcing smaller lines to sell to bigger ones at bargain basement prices?

Always follow the money.

 

[Dosproduction]

It said Metra would also close. Metra has about 10 different train lines running into Chicago. I can not see the government shutting down major commuter transports into one of the largest city's in the country.

 

[actaeon277]

It said Metra would also close. Metra has about 10 different train lines running into Chicago. I can not see the government shutting down major commuter transports into one of the largest city's in the country.

Well, since they seem interested in death by regulation strangulation. .

 

[jedi]

It said Metra would also close. Metra has about 10 different train lines running into Chicago. I can not see the government shutting down major commuter transports into one of the largest city's in the country.

They wont shut them down. It will just be federalized.
Do you know why?
Cause the railroad pension system has a lot of money and they do not pay into social secuirty. The feds need this money to keep ss going. By fedralizing the trains they can take those pensions and issue ious just like ssa has.

 

[87iroc]

Math approach here...

120 Million price tag
3.5 Million passengers

Thats 35 dollars per ticket to pay for the upgrade in a year....of course this would never happen as ridership would plummet
How about over 20 years? I mean, surely they could get a long term note on it(IANAB....I am not a businessman...but it seems reasonable). Thats 1.75 per ticket. Much more reasonable. Probably wouldn't lose a single rider.
10 years? Well, double that 1.75 per ticket....3.50 per ticket. Probably do-able as well. It would hurt those that buy montly and annual passes a lot. even the above one would.

I know I'm ignoring ridership drop on the last one....everyone would kick and scream, but the convenience is what people would have to make the determination of.

I'm calling a couple businesses that didn't plan for it playing the 'if we threaten to inconvenience millions and blame congress, we'll win'. Maybe, but even if they blame congress, the congressman will still get re-elected. They've never let approval ratings get in their way. Might **** 3.5 million people off, but how many are voters for one candidate and ride the south shore.

I love the south shore. Only ridden it twice in my life....but it was a fun day in Chicago when I did.

 

[87iroc]

They wont shut them down. It will just be federalized.
Do you know why?
Cause the railroad pension system has a lot of money and they do not pay into social secuirty. The feds need this money to keep ss going. By fedralizing the trains they can take those pensions and issue ious just like ssa has.

Another possibility...The TSA has worked out well.

 

[jedi]

We were at 155.25 in jan of this year. In july it went up to 178.50 and that is when i stopped riding it n drive into city instead. So an $30 hike again wont kill ridership. Metra earlier this year went up by 40%. My ticket was from ec to downtown.

 

[jedi]

Another possibility...The TSA has worked out well.

The tsa is ALREADY there n another reason why i stopped using it

 

[churchmouse]

More likely the legislation was aimed at forcing smaller lines to sell to bigger ones at bargain basement prices?

Always follow the money.

Yup

 

[87iroc]

The tsa is ALREADY there n another reason why i stopped using it

ick...wasn't there the last time I rode.

 

[87iroc]

We were at 155.25 in jan of this year. In july it went up to 178.50 and that is when i stopped riding it n drive into city instead. So an $30 hike again wont kill ridership. Metra earlier this year went up by 40%. My ticket was from ec to downtown.

OK, they are raising rates. Those annual pass prices or monthly?

I think they are bluffing....wonder how much their ridership went down with the last hike?

 

[jedi]

ick...wasn't there the last time I rode.

TSA dors dog patrol only right now at the various stations for special events and then randonly once a month.
Its about getting the masses use t seeing them thete before they start doing screening later on.