PRT was not Dean's idea, Barb. Dean just sees the potential and hopped on the :train" (excuse the pun). PRT in fact is a great idea that WAS ahead of the technology when originally conceived, but today that technology has caught up to and meets the needs of the original idea. PRT can work now if ever really given the chance. It has to be really tried, however, not condemned to these poky little "experiments" that presently it is condemned to.
A system that connected the Minneapolis downtown along Nicolett Mall with the Dome, the University, and Convention Center, would be a tourist plus; and give the PRT system a real try. Until this point we are offered grandiose plans (and nothing more) and tiny toys as examples. Both unworkable as a true test. We need an actual test that makes economic sense. A recreational "test vehicle" if you will that can mostly pay for itself after being built. Something that is a landmark and can showcase our downtown. Like the space needle and monorail do for Seattle, but one far more useful for us.
Such things are the bait that also get other things brought to Minneapolis; such as conventions, Final-Fours, Super Bowls, and Olympics. Things that bring millions and millions of dollars into our economy. As such it makes economic sense to have such a "Test". And more importantly it is probably the only justification to ever do a sample that is more than "JUST" a toy. I think for the idea to ever come about you will have to find some of those Republican interests and businessmen joining with the "Greens" to make it happen. Of course the idea of Republican's making money from, and tainting, their "Green" idea might be considered as heresy.
MY, MY, MY what a thought! Concern to do things that might bring business and tourism dollars to Minneapolis. Something other than freezing your buns off four or five months a year. We do have to think of things that bring people to Minneapolis, so they can see how "friendly" we are. Remember we have a national media that gets things about how cold it is here and not much more.
Jim Graham, Ventura Village, Phillips, Sixth Ward of Minneapolis
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