WASHINGTON'S METRO IS THE SOLID-GOLD CADILLAC OF MASS TRANSIT

Citing overdesign and planning mistakes, the author points out that the Washington Metro's capital cost of $7.2 billion exceeds that of the five other systems under construction in the U.S. in the 1970s and has ended up with a disproportionate share of federal mass-transit funds. The processes of benefit-cost analysis and alternatives analysis are discussed with reference to the Washington situation. Effects of political pressures are also described.

• Corporate Authors:

  Time Incorporated

  541 North Fairbanks Court
  Chicago, IL  United States  60611
• Authors:
  • Nickel, H
• Publication Date: 1979-12-3

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 110
• Serial:
  • Fortune Magazine
  • Publisher: Time Incorporated

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Financing; Government funding; Politics; Public transit; Rapid transit; Ridership; Transportation planning; Urban transportation
• Identifier Terms: Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• Subject Areas: Finance; Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Public Transportation; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00309954
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 7 1981 12:00AM