Critics argue that the extremely costly project is inherently risky in a country due to experience a rapid decline in population, while airlines are increasing budget services, according to the report.
To carry a passenger a mile on the streetcar, the CATS projects it will cost $1.58 in 2019, when the second phase of the project would open. For comparison, in 2012, it cost the agency 77 cents to move a bus passenger one mile. A Lynx Blue Line passenger’s 1-mile trip was 68 cents.
The price of the project is increasing from last year’s estimate of about $125 million due in part to relocating utility lines. Construction was initially scheduled to start next year, but will have to be pushed back to 2015 or 2016 because of the funding problems.
Staff members were reluctant to incorporate higher estimates — which have more than doubled to as much as $327.8 million — into public discussions, partly because of concerns they could slow the streetcar's progress, the report said.
Metro leaders demand that planners reduce the cost, which has risen from $1.25 billion to between $1.58 and $1.82 billion, or risk losing political support.
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