Posted Tue, Apr 24, 8:46 p.m.

Your too funny Wells - PowerGangers?? I like yours better than mine. I did some number crunching on the FHSC, and applied FTA 'Annualization Factors' to convert capital costs to annual costs. These are added to the operating cost, which allows them to consider projects for cost effectiveness. Facilities are ...

Posted Tue, Apr 24, 7:09 a.m.

Mr. EddieW is one of the lone wolves crying from the forest. I've never understood the dynamics of why Seattle is blind to such obvious waste to please a small group of insiders willing to squander precious tax resources like they are playing Monopoly. Maybe it's a legacy of the ...

Posted Mon, Apr 23, 12:41 p.m.

They were thinking the ST Board members from Tacoma really, really wanted a train downtown, so they got it. The First Hill Streetcar is being built because some City Council-members and former Mayor really, really, really wanted a train. The North Sounder trains are costing taxpayers over $30 a trip ...

Posted Mon, Apr 23, 8:43 a.m.

Ditto Doug, Eric and 'The WizKid" (tm). Metro is cannibalizing service while it's bastard step child born in the early 90's burns though million dollar notes on rails like there on a moon mission. Transit is Transit, not this agency v. that one. We, the riders are just one group. ...

Posted Wed, Apr 11, 4:41 p.m.

I can lend some credence to that reasoning, being a fly on the wall for some of the routing deliberations, and meeting with Mayor Rantz of Tukwila on several occasions during the ST's "Lets Trade" days. Your observation why Link mysteriously misses all the other malls is spot on.

Posted Mon, Apr 9, 3:02 p.m.

I didn't mean to imply you live on MLK, only the routing was on it. As I recall you live a block or two from it towards Rainier, so that's splitting hairs. As for Tukwila, they objected to Intn'l Blvd from south of Boeing Field to the top of the ...

Posted Mon, Apr 9, 1:40 p.m.

Borkowski was a blind cheerleader to get ST trains near his house on MLK, would cite the rubbish numbers being fed him as gospel and is still in denial. Look at your dismal ridership numbers compared to all the 'extremely conservative estimates' you touted in the 90's. It came in ...

Posted Sun, Apr 8, 8:40 a.m.

I have to agree with Robert and Christina's last sentence, along with Crossrips analysis of our own efforts in the region. Sound Transit and WSDOT have been shackled by big money interests to the detriment of fast, frequent and EFFICIENT rail travel for the last 20 years. As long as ...

Posted Thu, Apr 5, 10:49 a.m.

Sorry Peter, but this sounds like a cranky conversation in the senior center. It's so filled with errors (Buffet bought the public ROW?) and ramblings that I'll just point out that every train rider is subsidized over $100 a day from Everett for a ride on Sounder. The bus ride ...

Posted Sun, Mar 4, 9:54 a.m.

I wonder how large a bang the big butane tank would make if it exploded? Supposedly its one of the biggest on the west coast. Naw, shit can't happen.

Posted Thu, Feb 23, 2:17 p.m.

We should applaud Roger for being willing to pimp for Sound Transit at every turn of events. Ridership from the promised trains is half, costs are double, and so are the time lines. Northgate in 10 more years, on top of the 15 elapsed since 1996 should tell you something. ...

Posted Wed, Feb 22, 4:10 a.m.

Great article Mr. Hall. A similar effort is starting to gain some traction in the old Northern Pacific rail station, built in 1903, by a local coin shop operator Bill Becht. Now that White Rock has dropped out of contention for a station serving nearly a million residents south of ...

Posted Wed, Feb 8, 10:14 a.m.

Gee, it's a little early in the election cycle to start the hit pieces and negative campaign rhetoric, so I choose to not play at this time.

Posted Wed, Feb 8, 7:57 a.m.

I can only speak for myself, but choosing a candidate generally boils down to the person and not party affiliation. I generally vote Democrat, but have campaigned for Republicans who I admire. Mr. McKenna has been a clear thinker on issues going back to the King Co. Council, and his ...

Posted Mon, Jan 30, 6:34 a.m.

Should Federal Way raise concerns? ST’s Financial Plan (May 2011) would indicate that YES, they do have reason to cry foul – on several fronts. The table on page 2 reveals many policies that favor Seattle over the suburban cities for the period between 2009 and 2023. Case A: The ...

Posted Sun, Jan 29, 1:56 p.m.

So you want to play rough, huh? Just who do you think you're dealing with, a bunch a clowns? We're the government. Got it! Next time one of us says jump, you just say how high, and we'll all get along just dandy.

Posted Mon, Jan 9, 8:44 a.m.

Here’s a link to the PSRC’s ‘Preferred Alternative’ for tolling every freeway and major arterial in the Puget Sound by 2040. http://www.bettertransport.info/pitf/resourcelinks.htm SR520 is the first, to be followed closely by I-90 if WSDOT and the TC have their way. DBT will follow, then I-5 to balance traffic flows as ...

Posted Tue, Dec 20, 11:41 a.m.

CB: Sound Transit is only using the upstairs of the old Union Pacific station. The Grand Lobby would hold lots of buses, with some nifty covered parking to boot. A few exhaust fans would keep the workers above from chocking to much, and the easy on/offs from 4th and Jackson ...

Posted Tue, Dec 20, 8:24 a.m.

Hey you old Geezer, that would require some cooperation, something that is lacking in Seattle. Pick your poison: A waterfront streetcar kicked to the curb by some ugly artwork, A King St station face lift taking 20 years to complete. A First Hill Streetcar built as the booby prize for ...

Posted Thu, Dec 15, 8:15 a.m.

McKay/Hall is the dynamic duo of journalism on this one. Well researched, not much hand waving - just fact based information. What a breath of fresh air on a difficult subject to cover. We all want healthy salmon runs, fast passenger trains that help our environmental problems, healthy freight and ...

Posted Fri, Dec 2, 5:49 a.m.

Mr. Duke does a good job of ignoring the actual performance of Light Rail (ala Sound Transit), in favor of George Jetsen's Transport World. I've heard all the excuses (it's a new system, just wait and see, Univ Link will change all that), but we've invested nearly $3 Bil and ...

Posted Sun, Nov 27, 8:36 a.m.

@ Tom: No, I said we're collecting six times as much sales tax as we did in 1972. (3/10th a cent x 6 is 1.8) The turf wars between Sound Transit and Metro could fill a good non-fiction novel.

Posted Fri, Nov 25, 4:13 p.m.

Where do these half-baked ideas come from? Kyle Keith must not be much of an analyst if the first numbers he throws out there are a big fat lie. 12 minutes from W.Ballard to Westlake, via cutting into the twin bore tubes somewhere between Roosevelt and Brooklyn stations. Jeeze, ST ...

Posted Fri, Nov 25, 11:17 a.m.

Crossrip's analysis is the closest thing I've read to full disclosure on Light Rail (ala Sound Transits version of it) before now. Thanks for the jolt of reality. Another inconvenient truth is the higher operating subsidy required of all taxpayers to support this folly. Just look at the Metro bus ...

Posted Tue, Nov 22, 1:43 a.m.

@ Jmrolls: Right, but certain phrases just seem to roll of the tongue's of politicians easier than others. Sims like to throw out the 1000 signals of synchronization phrase to make the pitch for higher taxes. Not quite the same as 100,000 cops or teachers, but equally effective. It's only ...

Posted Mon, Nov 21, 8:31 p.m.

The republicans have been put in a corner now. 2013 isn't that far off, when massive military/industrial complex cuts kick in, which strikes terror in the minds of Boards everywhere - the same board members who support republicans. If President Obama holds true to his veto of anything that doesn't ...

Posted Mon, Nov 21, 8:23 a.m.

Spot on Mr. Nelson. Here's a comment I made over the weekend on STB's blog. "Well, as long as we’re strolling down memory lane, what happened to riders since 1983. We doubled our numbers, so that’s good, right? But our fares went up a hell of a lot more than ...

Posted Thu, Nov 17, 10:06 a.m.

Also, I would imagine having that much combustible material in a confined space should prompt some safety concerns. A trainload of coal on fire, or a coal dust explosion would render the tunnels useless for a very long time. Sprinklers anyone?

Posted Thu, Nov 17, 5:58 a.m.

WSDOT is spending about 1/2 a billion to upgrade the BNSF line between Vancouver, WA and Seattle for a few extra trains per day - a BNSF requirement for more access. How much is BNSF going to demand upfront for 20-30 coal trains per day, which are much longer and ...

Posted Sun, Nov 13, 7:36 a.m.

Eloquent, Mr. Green.

Posted Sat, Nov 12, 9 p.m.

I'm not so much concerned about the fact that a couple of more Talgo trainsets will be scattered along the Cascades corridor in a few years. The existing service has been using the same equipment for a couple of decades now, so a little fresh blood is a good thing. ...

Posted Sat, Sep 10, 5:25 p.m.

READERS PICK Thanks Bob. You haven't lost your touch to turn a phrase. Living on Lummi Island, just above Legoe Bay is a magical and wonderful experience this time of year. Good times like these somehow make all the days the fishers spend standing in their lonely perches, with nary ...

Posted Fri, Sep 2, 6:08 a.m.

At what point does Seattle put up permanent barricades between SODO and Belltown? The Deep Bore Tunnel will cater to Hwy99 traffic willing to pony up some cash for a quickie trip under downtown. About half the existing viaduct traffic will have to find another way. That's on surface streets ...

Posted Wed, Aug 10, 5:46 a.m.

With voters watching the pillars of our government showing their age, cracks and all, its likely the Mega-Projects such as the Deep Bore Tunnel are doomed for any long term debt support. For me, it's about faith. They continually sugar coat the projects then point fingers at someone or something ...

Posted Fri, Jun 17, 5:36 a.m.

The coal terminal is a 'really big deal' for Whatcom County. Lots of construction jobs and full time employment in the area, plus ongoing taxes for a long time to come. That said, it's an even bigger deal for all the communities along the line that must deal with more ...

Posted Sun, Jun 12, 8:30 a.m.

@sixriversrail: Comments like your just drive me nuts. "incredible amount of shortsightedness". Based on what? How about one little tiny shred of evidence that you have any idea you know what you're talking about? Take a lesson from Bob Ferris. While I personally think the impacts of coal trains are ...

Posted Wed, Mar 16, 6:35 a.m.

One more thought, then I'll be quiet. If the Lummi Nation blockades this ferry, then I think the message to all of WA State is clear. You're next! If it comes to that, I think all WA State residents should BOYCOTT ALL INDIAN CASINO's, statewide, until reason prevails. How's that ...

Posted Wed, Mar 16, 6:28 a.m.

Disclaimer: I live on Lummi Is. This issue revolves around the rights of U.S. citizens to cross a reservation boundary for the purpose of access to private property. And if that is a valid right, should anything be charged for it by the reservation, and if so, what is fair ...

Posted Sat, Feb 5, 5:41 a.m.

I respectfully have to cry 'foul' with two of my favorite writers here, Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Niles. I'll save the boring numbers argument for another day, except to say most of the developed countries in the world have embraced medium distance trains over just cars, buses, and planes for ...

Posted Thu, Jan 20, 4:18 a.m.

Great piece C.B. That ties a lot of loose strings together in a ball for me. To add to the motivation of some of the parties involved, keep in mind many of these motivations have been running on 'momentum' from prior leaders. Mayor Norm Rice pushed hard for light rail ...

Posted Fri, Oct 1, 5:46 a.m.

Doug, I usually agree with most of your articles, but have to reign you in on this one. Transit should be about moving the most number of people at the lowest unit cost. Transit is heavily subsidized by by everyone, and fewer than 1 in 10 use it to get ...

Posted Mon, Aug 30, 6:29 p.m.

Speaking as an Islander, with a huge stake in the outcome of this contest, I would like to point out a few observations. 1. Chief Cagey will surely be better off for refusing to settle for business as usual, under the terms of the old agreement. 58 times the fair ...

Posted Thu, Apr 22, 7:54 p.m.

Thanks for the support Andy. See you at the investors meeting next week :)

Posted Thu, Apr 22, 4:30 p.m.

On behalf of my investment group on MLK, I would like to thank all the taxpayers of the Puget Sound and across our great land who have contributed so much towards our train. As soon as our condos are up, we're cashing in 'BIG-TIME'. We never thought the region would ...

Posted Thu, Apr 22, 7:55 a.m.

Another good piece, Doug. Hopefully something useful will come out of all this, but given the Puget Sound track record on Transportaion Planning 101, I think that's a big stretch. The comment out of the blocks is telling. Find a way to increase revenue! Like 1.9 % sales tax isn't ...

Posted Tue, May 12, 10:58 p.m.

YES to HSR Improvements to freight tracks, grade crossings, signals and control, dramatically improves efficient movement of goods and people. Rail is 2 to 3 times more fuel efficient than planes, trucks, and cars, while polluting our atmosphere half as much (EPA). This is a huge deal, when oil starts ...

Posted Tue, Feb 3, 4:23 a.m.

Mr.Vance generally speaks the truth, in the clearest of terms -- this article is no exception. During the debate on Prop 1, I tried to make the point that with its passage, "transportation spending would be turned on its head.". Transits share of all transportation spending is currently about 30%. ...

Posted Thu, Oct 23, 7:54 a.m.

If Sound Transit didn't 'lo ball' the costs in 1996, just to get an approval at the ballot, then you might have a case to make. But, the reality is the current 10 year plan will take 20 years to finish, cost nearly 3 times as much, and who knows ...

Posted Tue, Oct 21, 7:36 a.m.

When you spew your filth and vermin about respectable people, whose views are different than your own, it only makes you look small, petty, and foolish. I found the Van Dyke article interesting and thought provoking, where-as the attack response offered by MadisonAve contained only character assassination, guilt by association, ...

Posted Thu, Oct 16, 1:57 a.m.

Prop 1 should be rejected. Just as any blackjack player would be foolish to double down before looking at their cards, voters for more light rail would be equally foolish to double their transit taxes before the first trains ever start running next year. Sound Move has built one of ...

Posted Thu, Oct 16, 1:46 a.m.

Prop 1 should be rejected. Just as any blackjack player would be foolish to double down before looking at their cards, voters for more light rail would be equally foolish to double their transit taxes before the first trains ever start running next year. Sound Move has built one of ...

Posted Mon, Sep 29, 5:53 p.m.

SORRY MATT, YOU FLUNK: It was only a few questions, but you got them all wrong. 1. Where did I suggest you add a lane everywhere? The 405 study added all new overpasses, several lanes, and on and on. We have a lot of lanes that could be more functional ...

Posted Mon, Sep 29, 3:38 p.m.

NICE TRY SOUND TRANSIT - STILL NOT INTERESTED: With all their good intentions of swaying the election, recent events will weigh heavily on voters willing to part with what cash is left after all the dust settles from recent events. Let me offer a few counter-points for us average Joes ...

Posted Wed, Sep 24, 11:17 a.m.

RE: SOUND TRANSIT FLUNKS WASL: Yeah, we're all a bunch of pissed off Nazi's just trying to screw up our city. I'm sure if ST posted numbers in a study, then we should all take that to the bank -- Oops, I forgot, the bankers aren't too good at keeping ...

Posted Wed, Sep 24, 10:01 a.m.

SOUND TRANSIT FLUNKS WASL: SteveM. Maybe it's because Microsoft can do math, and you and Sound Transit flunk the WASL test. 22.9 Bil divided by 1.3 mil. household in the year 2023 (the year ST 2 is supposed to be finished), is $16,522 per household. Divide that by 15 years ...

Posted Fri, Aug 29, 11:29 a.m.

RE: COST v. BENEFIT: Matt. First, if you really believe the poster childs "it's only 69 bucks a year" number that ST likes to throw out, then there's some wonderful property I'd like to interest you in. Second, kidding aside, please do your own research. Log onto Google and try ...

Posted Fri, Aug 29, 8:28 a.m.

COST v. BENEFIT: Let's forget the Billions of numbers, and just consider the $15,000 per household price tag on ST2 (Prop 1)over the life of the tax for construction and loan repayment -- kinda like we look at buying a house (forget the latte a day arguement). The share of ...

Posted Wed, Aug 6, 4:22 p.m.

RE: Madisonave: The article was about tough choices facing government and people. As you choose to read your own story "between the lines", then I must respond to the only fact you gave. (buses without HOV are slower than walking) OK, here goes! Metro bus 194 takes 27 min. from ...

Posted Wed, Aug 6, 1:39 p.m.

THIS DOG WON'T HUNT: We've been riding the good times for too long now, and it seems a gaggle of chickens are now coming home to roost. Local, Regional, and State agencies are all seeing red on the ledger sheets, and trying to come to grips with the current realities. ...

Posted Wed, Aug 6, 1:13 p.m.

800 POUND "PICK-POCKETS" BEWARE: Good article! We've been riding the good times for too long now, and it seems a gaggle of chickens are now coming home to roost. Local, Regional, and State agencies are all seeing red on the ledger sheets, and trying to come to grips with the ...