Posted on June 20 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To answer the question about how long were going to study and talk about this train, by the first poster. I will say until the funding for the studies runs out. You know it’s extremely unfortunate that our tax dollars are being wasted for this study. At least I hope these studies are a waste given the following facts.

Cost to build Chattanooga to Nashville is estimated at $5.4 Billion. Yes Billion.
Projected annual passenger miles in 2030 are 223.5 million.
Projected revenue per mile at Low $0.30, Mid $0.50 and High $0.75.
Taking the Mid revenue per mile of $0.50 and multiplying it by the 223.5 million passenger miles gives you annual revenue of $111.7 million.

Wow $111.7 million at peak ridership in 20 years, sounds good right?
Well, without extracting any money for operating expense and not adding any interest, it will take 48 years to payoff the debt to build it. Remember 48 years and that’s with 0% interest and 100% of revenue at peak ridership taking nothing for operating expenses. If I were to take out operating expenses and reduce the revenue while it was building to peak ridership then add interest, I'm guessing it will never be ableto pay the debt to build it. I’m also not sure of the life expectancy of the train. But given it’s complexity I highly doubt it would last the 48 years it would take to pay for it without interest or operating expenses.

So where do all of the projections/assumptions leave us. Well I think it’s pretty clear. We the taxpayers will be subsidizing the project. Yep that means even if you never step foot on the train you will be paying for it. It’s also my assumption it will be local taxpayer money from both Chattanooga and Nashville without Federal money. So if this somehow gets approval to be built be ready to dig deep.

The real question should be how much are you willing to pay in additional taxes to have this service? Because if this were really a good idea private enterprise would be building these trains everywhere.

Oh, and as for the comment about it only being a one time investment and spending billions on oil everyday. The Maglev at 5.4 Billion will only serve a very small demographic of people, while oil serves everyone. But unfortunately everyone will be paying for the Maglev. Please don’t misunderstand. I’m all for alternatives to oil, but this isn’t it, at least not right now. I’m confident there will be more alternatives with cheaper price tags coming in the near future. Until then we all need to be more prudent in lowering our fuel consumption which should have a calming effect on oil prices.

Also, I want to congratulate the people that continue to get taxpayer money to study something that is so obviously bad for taxpayers. It’s amazing how they have packaged the data to make it sound like a good idea, just so they can get more funds to do more studies. Sounds like a great and lucrative job while it lasts.

On Study: Chattanooga to Nashville in 50 minutes and $75