Quote:
Originally Posted by roger1818
Considering Urban_Sky works for VIA and apparently has seen the plans, so I would say his answers are more accurate.
As for why the secrecy, once again it’s best to deffer to Urban_Sky but we have put forward several theories which you have completely ignored.
|
I don't think people would accept that explanation on other threads. If someone claimed to work for RTG and told us not to worry everything was fine, I am sure people would not immediately agree to defer to their statements. The user in question has not identified his role within the organization, even in general terms or even really claimed to have seen any documents. Working for an organization (except maybe at a very senior level) does not usually give one access to all of the documents.
I am also not sure why what I am saying is so controversial. If you go on the Metrolinx website, there are all kinds of studies, details of future plans, etc. The same for Amtrak, the same for the same for provincial and state-level transportation agencies, same for agencies in Europe or Australia. You don't think it is odd that almost 6 years after Via announced this proposal, there are about 500 words and a few schematics on the website?
I don't think I have ignored the theories being put forward, I have noted that several of the theories being put forward identify additional problems.
- If Urban Sky is correct and all of the engineering is mostly done and there is some important (and also secret) reason for all of this secrecy, then I think it is fair to criticize Via's secrecy. You may recall I was also critical of the secrecy regarding the delays in the LRT opening. The secrecy creates a risk there will be unpleasant surprises for supporters, partners, MPs, which is why most public transportation agencies provide details on their plans.
-If, as you suggested earlier, details on the routing, etc. will not be addressed until the environmental assessment stage, then it raises the question of where the very specific cost estimates and very specific time estimates came from. To do a specific time estimate, or a specific cost estimate one would need to know both the exact routing (or very close to it) and exactly which upgrades are going to be made (how many grade separations are necessary, how much new track is needed, how many curves need to be straightened, etc).