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$3.2M used to operate Calif. train shut down for months

The cost for an idle train was far greater than the $1.3 million spent to run replacement buses during the same period, according to figures provided by the NCTD.

March 24, 2014
1 min to read


OCEANSIDE, Calif. — Taxpayers paid $3.2 million to operate the North County Transit District’s (NCTD) Sprinter rail line last spring, despite it being shut down for several months because of brake issues, reported the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The cost for an idle train was far greater than the $1.3 million spent to run replacement buses during the same period, according to figures provided by the NCTD. Transit officials say they had no choice but to keep paying the train’s operators and maintenance crews during the two-and-a half month closure. For the full story, click here.

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