December 8, 201410 yr You can buy an early pass for the Cincinnati streetcar tomorrow The gift cards will go on sale tomorrow on the second floor of City Hall, at the Metro sales office in the Mercantile arcade across the street from Government Square and online at go-metro.com. A $25 card will allow users unlimited streetcar rides for the first 15 days of service; a $50 card will allow users unlimited rides for the first 30 days, and $100 will allow unlimited rides for the first 60 days of service. There are 750 $25 cards available, 400 $50 cards and 350 $100 cards. If all of the cards sell, it would raise $73,750 for the project. The base streetcar fare is expected to be $1 for two hours of ridership.
December 8, 201410 yr I have this exact same problem right now and it infuriates me. My actual gas use last month was $4.65, but my hookup fee was $35. I get the shared use sentiment, but there's got to be some kind of better formula they can use to allocate the costs better. Methinks the real infrastructure maintenance cost per dwelling is closer to the $7 amount than the $35.
December 8, 201410 yr It is kind of confusing that it doesn't scale at all. The line supplying my unit is also supplying the other 32 units in my building. You can't tell me that that stretch of gas line costs the same per unit to maintain as a line that is supplying two houses for 100 feet of line.
December 8, 201410 yr I had 700 WLW on the radio last night and the "preview" was for a 9:06 show, and I don't know who the host was. But anyways, the preview was, "With the new streetcar loss of $15 million, is this the beginning of the end for Cincinnati?". Sounds about right. Its just a shame the streetcar has: -Bankrupted the city -Turned us into Detroit -Brought down our credit rating -Forced us to fire police/fire fighters - Stopped us from building the MLK Interchange - Destroyed our road paving ability -Destroyed our garbage collecting ability -Forced us to not cap Ft Washington Way -Completely prevented other neighborhoods from building anything -Destroyed our ability to plow and salt roads for winter
December 8, 201410 yr I had 700 WLW on the radio last night and the "preview" was for a 9:06 show, and I don't know who the host was. But anyways, the preview was, "With the new streetcar loss of $15 million, is this the beginning of the end for Cincinnati?". Sounds about right. Its just a shame the streetcar has: -Bankrupted the city -Turned us into Detroit -Brought down our credit rating -Forced us to fire police/fire fighters - Stopped us from building the MLK Interchange - Destroyed our road paving ability -Destroyed our garbage collecting ability -Forced us to not cap Ft Washington Way -Completely prevented other neighborhoods from building anything -Destroyed our ability to plow and salt roads for winter Cranley taking credit for the present budget surplus, even though the streetcar was supposed to destroy the city's finances. It just comes down to Cranley not being about to shower his cronies with the funds that are now dedicated to the streetcar. And his endless haggling over the operations both keeps him in the news as some sort of financial watchdog and buys him time to figure out a way to program the money in the pockets of his handlers and goons.
December 8, 201410 yr You can buy an early pass for the Cincinnati streetcar tomorrow The gift cards will go on sale tomorrow on the second floor of City Hall, at the Metro sales office in the Mercantile arcade across the street from Government Square and online at go-metro.com. A $25 card will allow users unlimited streetcar rides for the first 15 days of service; a $50 card will allow users unlimited rides for the first 30 days, and $100 will allow unlimited rides for the first 60 days of service. There are 750 $25 cards available, 400 $50 cards and 350 $100 cards. If all of the cards sell, it would raise $73,750 for the project. The base streetcar fare is expected to be $1 for two hours of ridership. Hmm. For another $40, you can extend that 60-day pass to cover the entire Zone 1 of the Metro network. If you make just 6 round trips out of the basin per month (or if you live outside the basin), you're better off getting the regular Metro monthly pass. Not to mention you can't use these for more than a year and a half. The only reason I see these selling is to politically support the streetcar. Once the streetcar is a mundane reality, these prices won't fly. I guess it's smart to go ahead and capitalize on that support right now, while the whole thing is still abstract and ideological.
December 8, 201410 yr I had 700 WLW on the radio last night and the "preview" was for a 9:06 show, and I don't know who the host was. But anyways, the preview was, "With the new streetcar loss of $15 million, is this the beginning of the end for Cincinnati?". Sounds about right. Its just a shame the streetcar has: -Bankrupted the city -Turned us into Detroit -Brought down our credit rating -Forced us to fire police/fire fighters - Stopped us from building the MLK Interchange - Destroyed our road paving ability -Destroyed our garbage collecting ability -Forced us to not cap Ft Washington Way -Completely prevented other neighborhoods from building anything -Destroyed our ability to plow and salt roads for winter Cranley taking credit for the present budget surplus, even though the streetcar was supposed to destroy the city's finances. It just comes down to Cranley not being about to shower his cronies with the funds that are now dedicated to the streetcar. And his endless haggling over the operations both keeps him in the news as some sort of financial watchdog and buys him time to figure out a way to program the money in the pockets of his handlers and goons.
December 8, 201410 yr You can buy an early pass for the Cincinnati streetcar tomorrow The gift cards will go on sale tomorrow on the second floor of City Hall, at the Metro sales office in the Mercantile arcade across the street from Government Square and online at go-metro.com. A $25 card will allow users unlimited streetcar rides for the first 15 days of service; a $50 card will allow users unlimited rides for the first 30 days, and $100 will allow unlimited rides for the first 60 days of service. There are 750 $25 cards available, 400 $50 cards and 350 $100 cards. If all of the cards sell, it would raise $73,750 for the project. The base streetcar fare is expected to be $1 for two hours of ridership. Hmm. For another $40, you can extend that 60-day pass to cover the entire Zone 1 of the Metro network. If you make just 6 round trips out of the basin per month (or if you live outside the basin), you're better off getting the regular Metro monthly pass. Not to mention you can't use these for more than a year and a half. The only reason I see these selling is to politically support the streetcar. Once the streetcar is a mundane reality, these prices won't fly. I guess it's smart to go ahead and capitalize on that support right now, while the whole thing is still abstract and ideological. I will certainly buy a card to support the streetcar, but these pass options are a little bizarre. Why not treat it like a special Metro gift card that is valid anytime after the streetcar's opening date, but dedicate all of that revenue to streetcar start-up costs?
December 8, 201410 yr You can buy an early pass for the Cincinnati streetcar tomorrow The gift cards will go on sale tomorrow on the second floor of City Hall, at the Metro sales office in the Mercantile arcade across the street from Government Square and online at go-metro.com. A $25 card will allow users unlimited streetcar rides for the first 15 days of service; a $50 card will allow users unlimited rides for the first 30 days, and $100 will allow unlimited rides for the first 60 days of service. There are 750 $25 cards available, 400 $50 cards and 350 $100 cards. If all of the cards sell, it would raise $73,750 for the project. The base streetcar fare is expected to be $1 for two hours of ridership. Hmm. For another $40, you can extend that 60-day pass to cover the entire Zone 1 of the Metro network. If you make just 6 round trips out of the basin per month (or if you live outside the basin), you're better off getting the regular Metro monthly pass. Not to mention you can't use these for more than a year and a half. The only reason I see these selling is to politically support the streetcar. Once the streetcar is a mundane reality, these prices won't fly. I guess it's smart to go ahead and capitalize on that support right now, while the whole thing is still abstract and ideological. I will certainly buy a card to support the streetcar, but these pass options are a little bizarre. Why not treat it like a special Metro gift card that is valid anytime after the streetcar's opening date, but dedicate all of that revenue to streetcar start-up costs? That is exactly what I thought it was going to be when "gift cards" were first announced. Since that's the way most gift cards operate -- as cash that can only be used at one company. Maybe they didn't want the PR where Cratherman/Smitherley claimed this was a sleight of hand to transfer bus fare to streetcar operations.
December 8, 201410 yr The city needs to play hardball with Duke by saying to them when it comes times to replace a line they must have their own right of way and not under the street. Maybe under the side walk.
December 8, 201410 yr The city needs to play hardball with Duke by saying to them when it comes times to replace a line they must have their own right of way and not under the street. Maybe under the side walk. At the very least, the city needs to increase the fee that it charges Duke to use the right-of-way.
December 9, 201410 yr October 2014 update can be found here: http://city-egov.cincinnati-oh.gov/Webtop/ws/council/public/child/Blob/41327.pdf?rpp=-10&m=2&w=doc_no%3D%27201401449%27 The report includes some update on the contingency fund saying that 34% of the contingency has been used, and with 18 months of construction remaining there is concern that the contingency will not be enough to complete the project. I really hope that is just being extremely cautious, because if more money needs to be allocated to complete phase 1 that would be a mess.
December 9, 201410 yr Proud Owner: "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
December 9, 201410 yr Now I want some Euros! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 9, 201410 yr I ordered a pass online. I'm debating whether to give it as a gift or keep for myself. https://secure.pledgeconnect.com/payment.aspx?go-metro
December 9, 201410 yr I ordered a pass online. I'm debating whether to give it as a gift or keep for myself. https://secure.pledgeconnect.com/payment.aspx?go-metro I got one too, I was hoping for a cheaper option like $10 so I could give them out as stocking stuffers or gag gifts for suburbanites.
December 9, 201410 yr Does it start at first use or when the streetcar opens? Someone may want to start using it 3 months after the streetcar opens.
December 9, 201410 yr The graphic design is impressive. Sleek and contemporary. Nods to the art deco aesthetic present in several of our landmarks. The C is reminiscent of the city's flag. Bravo. Edit: And of course the color scheme, which was picked to echo the old transit system colors. (For what it's worth. I'm not attached.)
December 9, 201410 yr Is it true there is only 80k left in contingency? ?? That's a major problem especially when we have politicians actively trying to increase costs through various methods. Smitherma has repeatedly said he will bring another ballot initiative If the cost goes even one penny over
December 9, 201410 yr In the fine print for the card; they go in affect starting on the first day of revenue service. It's commemorative card. I get to call myself a Founding Club Member. I plan on impressing the ladies with it.
December 9, 201410 yr Is it true there is only 80k left in contingency? ?? That's a major problem especially when we have politicians actively trying to increase costs through various methods. Smitherma has repeatedly said he will bring another ballot initiative If the cost goes even one penny over Project managers are predicting that there will be 80k left in contingency once the project is complete barring any unforeseen setbacks. Right now there is approx $6M left in contingency, but most will be used during CBD Construction.
December 9, 201410 yr Is it true there is only 80k left in contingency? ?? That's a major problem especially when we have politicians actively trying to increase costs through various methods. Smitherma has repeatedly said he will bring another ballot initiative If the cost goes even one penny over They have used 34% of the $9.7 million contingency. There's $6.4 million left.
December 9, 201410 yr Is it true there is only 80k left in contingency? ?? That's a major problem especially when we have politicians actively trying to increase costs through various methods. Smitherman has repeatedly said he will bring another ballot initiative If the cost goes even one penny over Would anyone sign a petition much less vote against the streetcar if it does go a little over budget? There is no way there are enough people stupid enough to buy what he is peddling. "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." - Warren Buffett
December 9, 201410 yr Is it true there is only 80k left in contingency? ?? That's a major problem especially when we have politicians actively trying to increase costs through various methods. Smitherma has repeatedly said he will bring another ballot initiative If the cost goes even one penny over They have used 34% of the $9.7 million contingency. There's $6.4 million left. The big issue with the contingency fund was the December 2013 delay that cost $1M of additional expenses that could eventually be higher than that after negotiations. That money comes directly out of contingency fund...so take the delay out and there is a lot more wiggle room in the contingency. Deatrick said there is $2M+ in pending expenses plus he foresees $2.2M+ in upcoming expenses...leaving something like $80K left after those two grouped expenses.
December 9, 201410 yr ^ There is no way. I doubt he'd even get one other vote on Council for that. Let him talk.
December 9, 201410 yr Is it true there is only 80k left in contingency? ?? That's a major problem especially when we have politicians actively trying to increase costs through various methods. Smitherma has repeatedly said he will bring another ballot initiative If the cost goes even one penny over They have used 34% of the $9.7 million contingency. There's $6.4 million left. According to those numbers, $3.3m has been spent in contingency funds. If $1m is from Cranley's "pause," that means 30.3% of the money spent was directly caused by unnecessary obstruction.
December 9, 201410 yr Oh Enquirer... :roll: Uh-oh, streetcar savings account almost empty With two more years until the streetcar is up and running, streetcar executive John Deatrick told a Cincinnati City Council committee on Tuesday that the project's construction contingency fund is almost gone. That's the money needed to pay for cost overruns and surprise expenses. The $148 million project is a little more than a third done. It is scheduled to begin running in September 2016. The contingency fund once held $9.7 million. Deatrick told council's Transportation Committee Tuesday that $4.4 million has been spent and there are $2.9 million in pending expenses. Plus he can see another $2.2 million is needed. That leaves a balance of $80,443. "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
December 9, 201410 yr Will you buy a Cincinnati Streetcar gift card? Please vote in the BC's poll: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/pulse/poll/will-you-buy-one-of-the-new-cincinnati-streetcar-gift-cards/16117061
December 9, 201410 yr Worst case: Only $80,000 left in streetcar contingency budget with months of construction to go Deatrick and Eilerman explained that: The city has spent $4.4 million of the contingency budget. About $1 million stems from council's decision to freeze the project a year ago to consider whether to cancel it. Another $3 million in contingency expenses are pending. Included in that is $1.06 million in city staff and contractual expenses. Some of those costs, which include some overtime for the roughly dozen city employees who work full or part-time on the project, also stem from delays associated with awarding the construction contract and the pause approved by council. They are estimating another $2.25 million in expenses will be needed given the trouble areas on the project so far. Deatrick, who is expected to meet with Mayor John Cranley and City Manager Harry Black about the contingency budget on Wednesday, said he hopes to reduce the pending and estimated contingency expenses to give the city more breathing room on the project. Murray – a Republican who opposed the streetcar last year but has embraced her role as transportation chairwoman and tried to make the project work – praised Deatrick and Eilerman for bringing the issues to council early. She said the project needs to remain within budget but left open the possibility that the city could find local grant money, possibly from the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments, to ease the pressure.
December 10, 201410 yr I think what I'm getting out of all this is that the depletion of the contingency fund was largely CAUSED by the somewhat-pointless and politically-motivated delay. Am I right?
December 10, 201410 yr You're right. If it wasn't for Cranley, the article would have read "good news, streetcar over 1 million under budget".
December 10, 201410 yr The cranley delay rising costs was so predictable and since everyone keeps telling me how brilliant he is, that means he knew all along how much it would cost and where the money would come from. So when he states after elected that it wouldn't cost much or won't cost anything (forgot which he said), he was lying Unfortunately I have a feeling were going to see more efforts to intentionally increase construction costs and deplete the contingency funds from the same characters Ordinarily this problem would stick to cranley like glue. It would be called some catchy name. But our local media is so inept that they wont. Enquirer will stir up another controversy and am radio will defend cranley. I got a feeling we are going to see a coordinated cranley Smitherman am radio tour today to go on the offensive to help people forget they are responsible for increasing costs
December 10, 201410 yr He didn't think of the delay cost because he thought he would win. This wasn't a part of his calculation.
December 10, 201410 yr ^Exactly. I think he even said in an interview that he proposed the pause because that made it much easier for him to actually cancel. That was after he failed, and I was surprised that he admitted it out loud. Very different than what he claimed pre-pause.
December 10, 201410 yr ^Exactly. I think he even said in an interview that he proposed the pause because that made it much easier for him to actually cancel. That was after he failed, and I was surprised that he admitted it out loud. Very different than what he claimed pre-pause. And our lazy local media never called him out on this lie. I pointed this out to a few reporters and their response was, "of course he wanted to cancel it all along." Sure, but the point is that he lied and claimed the purpose of that pause was the audit the project, not to inflict a near-fatal wound to it.
December 10, 201410 yr Any cost overruns is meaning less at this point. Too much already invested. Get it done or be the laughing stock of the country.
December 10, 201410 yr Any cost overruns is meaning less at this point. Too much already invested. Get it done or be the laughing stock of the country. Right.
December 10, 201410 yr ^Exactly. I think he even said in an interview that he proposed the pause because that made it much easier for him to actually cancel. That was after he failed, and I was surprised that he admitted it out loud. Very different than what he claimed pre-pause. And our lazy local media never called him out on this lie. I pointed this out to a few reporters and their response was, "of course he wanted to cancel it all along." Sure, but the point is that he lied and claimed the purpose of that pause was the audit the project, not to inflict a near-fatal wound to it. Was the pause even Cranely's idea? Or did he just go ahead with it?
December 10, 201410 yr ^Exactly. I think he even said in an interview that he proposed the pause because that made it much easier for him to actually cancel. That was after he failed, and I was surprised that he admitted it out loud. Very different than what he claimed pre-pause. And our lazy local media never called him out on this lie. I pointed this out to a few reporters and their response was, "of course he wanted to cancel it all along." Sure, but the point is that he lied and claimed the purpose of that pause was the audit the project, not to inflict a near-fatal wound to it. Was the pause even Cranely's idea? Or did he just go ahead with it? Cranley orchestrated it when he didn't have 5 votes to straight-up Crancel the project immediately. Flynn and Mann went along with it (along with Murray, Winburn, and Smitherman). It was good for Cranley because it meant 6 votes, instead of 5, were required to not-Crancel. Hence the supporters' need for Flynn (who played ball harder than Mann). I have to think Mann felt duped when he realized he essentially ceded his power to Cranley and Flynn, on top of wasting $1m for no reason.
December 10, 201410 yr Vice Mayor Mann stipulated the need for the audit right after the election. Because the audit would take some time, that's the reason for the pause.
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