Typhoon wrote:NSSD60M wrote:railohio wrote:Plenty of contractors out there that could handle the work, too.
Yea, there's the idea. Watch it crash and burn with cut-rate, slop jobs just like what happens with every other public entity that goes with privatization. Indiana Toll Road should be the front and center example. Plenty of others that exemplify the fact as well. But you can't tell the text book-type anything.. they know it all already.
You have no clue what you are talking about. Before the Toll Road was leased, I drove 10 miles out of my to 94 to avoid it. There was no electronic collection, which meant long lings at the toll both, and the pavement was in bad shape. Since the state leased it out, we now have an epass program, which means the only backups that happen at the boths are when people are too stupid to read which lanes to go in when paying cash. The entire length of my drive has been resurfaced in the last three years, the bridges over Indiana 149 is currently being replaced, and the I80/I94 interchange bridges are being replaced at the end of the year. Don't let the facts get in the way of your government welfare rant.....
http://reason.org/files/indiana_toll_road_lease.pdf
"The ITR lease has been a major boon for the state
of Indiana overall, leaving it in a far stronger position
than it otherwise would have been."
http://www.governing.com/topics/mgmt/in ... ation.html
"By most accounts, the project has been a windfall for Indiana, with little downside to taxpayers."
The hook was well baited I see...
And you do have a clue? That 3rd shift may be finally taking it's toll (no pun intended) eh? You know, there're studies out there showing it can be exhausting to one's judgement and coherency over time. Effects some worse than others, obviously.
The toll road is in better shape now under privatization? Ah, no.. Take a look at what used to be mowed shoulders and right-of-way to the fenceline..now it's beyond mowing in many places, thanks to neglect and the thickening of vegetation, and nothing but a haven for wildlife waiting to dash out across the lanes. The toll booth attendants have been spread so thin, that at many of the rural exits you're hardpressed to find one on duty, and lines backed up because of the slow operation of the cash lanes. No, not everyone is a dumba$$ and way down on the totem pole of intelligence when compared to yourself. Those cash lanes are a pain in the butt to use and constantly malfunction. Hell, the I-zoom doesn't work half the time, as Justalurker also reinforced. I've got it in my company vehicle, and use the cash lanes in my personal vehicle, if God-forbid, I need to use the toll road when I'm off-duty, so I can certainly speak from experience with both examples
Resurfacing? Sure, in places. Although in many places, it's simply spot resurfacing to cover the cracks, ruts, and deepened holes thanks to the neglect than has escalated since the privatization. Stopped to take a leak at any of the plazas? What filthy and vile conditions those facilities have turned into. I specifically remember Toll Road custodians that were working at each plaza, and based on my observations, where there around the clock.
Now, since the workforce has been cut, slashed, and hacked, every aspect has gone down hill.
I guess it's real easy to make some references from materials that are clearly biased toward the point. Just keep paying your taxes, and live with it. I think we see who's on the rant here. That chip on your shoulder for public service and entities is really nipping away at reality isn't it...
While I brought up that example of the toll road, and I see others have elaborated (and thanks to those who haven't allowed hollow principles to turn into a rant), my point remains that I certainly don't wish to see any sort of privatization of heavy repair to the fleet or engines. Safety of the travelling public, as well as Amtrak employees such as myself depend upon the dedicated individuals down there in BG. They do great keeping an antiquated fleet in the best shape possible. Let it be privatized, and slop jobs are what you'll get. Profit put first and foremost and let everything else go by the wayside. The proof is right out there in the open. Sure, cut out expenditures, slash manpower and drain it dry for resources, and you'll have a profit. Oh, but wait, when was a highway ever intended to be for-profit anyway? Probably why the State wasn't making a profit while operating it in the first place.
