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Originally Posted by Keith P.
Seems to me that a limited commuter rail service Bedford/Sackville to DT makes some sense. Figure out if it works, what the issues are, etc., before getting into the grand design to service Enfield and the like.
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Exactly my thoughts. Why not start it up servicing the areas that will have the most usage and leave the other areas open for future consideration? If the need increases to the point to make it viable, then add extra infrastructure and service later... and if it's outside "Halifax", then make the province and/or the feds finance/maintain the additional infrastructure required. Don't see why HRM taxpayers should have to pay for infrastructure outside of HRM... errr Halifax.
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Comparing the cost to more buses is really not very sensible. Buses cannot move without significantly upgraded roads and HRM is allergic to doing that.
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I agree. It's not a straight-up comparison. Ok, buy 100 buses. Then you have to hire 200 drivers to drive them, you have to pay for fuel for 100 buses. You have to service and maintain 100 buses - which means you have to expand your service facilities, hire more technicians, or contract it out. You have to replace those extra 100 buses when they are at the end of their lifespan, which I believe to be less than the lifespan of a train. Road infrastructure is another huge cost, as mentioned.
Regardless, it's much more involved than just buying buses.
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