...or we could just go with the streetcar that was just approved and commuter rail that is under development now. As for monorail, there a lots problems with a monorail system from the physical/psychological barrier they create, to their lack of scalability, to their Le Corbusier style of separating people on multiple planes, to their slow speed and rough ride. Many cities have tried monorails (Seattle, Jacksonville, Detroit, Miami); they work great at Disney World where everyone boards at the same location and gets off at the same destination, but they don't work well as mass transit system where the riders get on and off at different locations. I have never ridden the Las Vegas monorail but at $5 per ride I am surprised anyone rides it.

...or we could just go with the streetcar that was just approved and commuter rail that is under development now. As for monorail, there a lots problems with a monorail system from the physical/psychological barrier they create, to their lack of scalability, to their Le Corbusier style of separating people on multiple planes, to their slow speed and rough ride. Many cities have tried monorails (Seattle, Jacksonville, Detroit, Miami); they work great at Disney World where everyone boards at the same location and gets off at the same destination, but they don't work well as mass transit system where the riders get on and off at different locations. I have never ridden the Las Vegas monorail but at $5 per ride I am surprised anyone rides it.

I have been aboard a few...and the ride is fine. There were "zero" psychological issues w/ any customers. Yes, ALL mass-transit will not let a passenger "jump off" before reaching any destination. ha ha.

In OKC metro needs, this works. A true N - S ( 2 Lane , coming & going ) works incredibly well. The Vegas rail is incredibly busy.... they can move from one casino to the other w/o any issues. The elevation does not keep anyone from traveling....thus ridership. Example: This would not be a "many stops along the way, kind of rail". BTW... Disney uses it with incredible success. Orlando Airport uses this w/ great success. Old / Young riders alike.

We could later place an E - W line as well. El Reno / Yukon / OKC / MWC / Choctaw / Harrah. The infrastructure of I-40 & I-35 already makes this a reality.

... Yes, there is a price $$$ for any mode of transportation. ...and the Senior Citizens & Veterans, ride free.

11:08 Steve Lackmeyer:
Ed Shadid and Pete White have pledged to cooperate on making the streetcar a success.

This just makes me laugh.

I have been aboard a few...and the ride is fine. There were "zero" psychological issues w/ any customers. Yes, ALL mass-transit will not let a passenger "jump off" before reaching any destination. ha ha.

In OKC metro needs, this works. A true N - S ( 2 Lane , coming & going ) works incredibly well. The Vegas rail is incredibly busy.... they can move from one casino to the other w/o any issues. The elevation does not keep anyone from traveling....thus ridership. Example: This would not be a "many stops along the way, kind of rail". BTW... Disney uses it with incredible success. Orlando Airport uses this w/ great success. Old / Young riders alike.

We could later place an E - W line as well. El Reno / Yukon / OKC / MWC / Choctaw / Harrah. The infrastructure of I-40 & I-35 already makes this a reality.

... Yes, there is a price $$$ for any mode of transportation. ...and the Senior Citizens & Veterans, ride free.

I think it comes down to right of way costs and rail line expenses. Monorail beams are expensive to build. However, if the costs are pretty comparable when all factors are taken into considering, it might be an option. It would also make it easier to get the train into the best locations.

While I love monorail systems, I'm just not sure people are going to want to pay for it when the costs are likely going to be $15-50 million per mile.

The monorail system I am in favor is a MAGLEV technology w/ very little issues. We can use this technology to begin our introduction to HSR, but only using a limited speed for commuter runs.

Northeast Maglev Train Plan Aims To Cut Down D.C.-N.Y. Travel Times (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/16/maglev-northeast-corridor_n_1676335.html)

This just makes me laugh.

My thought on the matter is that politically, they, along with Greiner (who should just be ignored because he has absolutely nothing to contribute) should be left on the outside looking in. They should be given the requisite carbon copies from committee reports and whatnot, but that should be it. Anyone having anything to do with MAPS should just not return these individuals' calls or answer any of their questions. They've shown themselves to be politically inconsequential. That's the consequence of building a coalition and then finding that coalition is impotent. If these councilmen want to attempt to burn down the many years of accomplishments of the MAPS programs, they should be left in a position where they won't be able to turn around and take credit later on (which they will do if given the opportunity).

The monorail system I am in favor is a MAGLEV technology w/ very little issues. We can use this technology to begin our introduction to HSR, but only using a limited speed for commuter runs.

Northeast Maglev Train Plan Aims To Cut Down D.C.-N.Y. Travel Times (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/16/maglev-northeast-corridor_n_1676335.html)

How are you going to pay for it? A maglev system proposed for Baltimore and Washington was priced at $5.1 billion for 39 miles. San Diego's proposed maglev is around $10 billion for 100 miles. Granted when you put it in perspective...it isn't that bad. The Crosstown rebuild was what, about $360 million (from the numbers I can find) for 4.5 miles? Or $80 million per mile. In comparison your Balt/Wash system is $130 million a mile or $100 million a mile in San Diego. However the problem is going to come from old thinkers who love their cars who will trumpet the big overall project number, while ignore the costs for projects like the Crosstown, 235/44...$200 million, 35/240...$50 million, and so on that all add up to some staggering amounts for relatively short lengths of infrastructure.

This just makes me laugh.

Are you at liberty to post the pictures of the school bus that showed up with supporters? One of Ed's volunteers/staffers is saying that it's completely off-base (on Twitter).

I could post the pictures but am waiting to determine the best way to use them. There are several organizations who want them.

I do find it funny that they are trying to refute that it happened even knowing that there might be pictures.

The monorail system I am in favor is a MAGLEV technology w/ very little issues. We can use this technology to begin our introduction to HSR, but only using a limited speed for commuter runs.

Northeast Maglev Train Plan Aims To Cut Down D.C.-N.Y. Travel Times (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/16/maglev-northeast-corridor_n_1676335.html)

All the same problems - just faster.

Q5cEAhjcv54

I think it comes down to right of way costs and rail line expenses. Monorail beams are expensive to build. However, if the costs are pretty comparable when all factors are taken into considering, it might be an option. It would also make it easier to get the train into the best locations.

While I love monorail systems, I'm just not sure people are going to want to pay for it when the costs are likely going to be $15-50 million per mile.

I don't think we like the "value" of our ODOT dollars now, do we? The existing structure of our metro highways, is getting worse, not better. Texas is spending Billions on Loop 635 ( from I-35 - H 75 , aprox. 8 miles.) This is what happens when you wait too long to fix the issues. We can begin to build this system ( today ) and transition our ODOT dollars to something a little more High Value. This is not an "ALL or Nothing" issue. This is very inclusive of our existing infrastructure.

Guys, let's think Big here. If we get ahead of this and build it, do you think other ( Fortune 500 compaines ) will look to us a a Perfect Option for their next move? Yes, they will. As continue to grow ( we will need this anyway). So, the 15-20 M / Mil is a very SOUND INVESTMENT. Giving ODOT more money for highways, ...is not.

Please, do not confuse COST w/ Price. ...the cost of Not having it? ...the cost of losing more compaines? ...the highway fatalities? .... that is a cost.

You really should run for public office.

Where can I sign up to volunteer!

All the same problems - just faster.

Q5cEAhjcv54

Show me a system that is of ZERO issues? ....Example please?

The Crosstown rebuild was what, about $360 million (from the numbers I can find) for 4.5 miles? Or $80 million per mile.

Final cost on the Crosstown was $680 million.

Show me a system that is of ZERO issues? ....Example please?

Every system has issues.

How are you going to pay for it? A maglev system proposed for Baltimore and Washington was priced at $5.1 billion for 39 miles. San Diego's proposed maglev is around $10 billion for 100 miles. Granted when you put it in perspective...it isn't that bad. The Crosstown rebuild was what, about $360 million (from the numbers I can find) for 4.5 miles? Or $80 million per mile. In comparison your Balt/Wash system is $130 million a mile or $100 million a mile in San Diego. However the problem is going to come from old thinkers who love their cars who will trumpet the big overall project number, while ignore the costs for projects like the Crosstown, 235/44...$200 million, 35/240...$50 million, and so on that all add up to some staggering amounts for relatively short lengths of infrastructure.

We are paying NOW. The standard OKLAHOMA answer / response is to "Make a Toll Road"...that's jobs, right? ...Turnpike Authority.

Example: Year 2014 and the I-235/I-44 Interchange @ $200 Million, out of Who's Budget? ....ODOT. If we wait to build it 20 years from now, then what will be the price tag then? .... $350 Million?

So, if we begin to build this MAGLEV today, the cost will be significantly less, than if we wait until 2035. That is just dollars-on-dollars. Guess what, ODOT will keep telling us "they" don't have the money in the budget. ??? Why is that?

Also, this is the same reason / purpose that we started (MAPS) in the first place. The people had to go "outside" the existing system ( City Gov. / ODOT's ) of the world, just to make sure that this happens. Dedicate the dollars to be spent exactly how we want them to.

We can do this w/ a regional MAGLEV system that places all of the OKC metro into a growth mode of success. ( I am not against the Downtown Boom. I love it.) Let's lead on this.

Every system has issues.

You made my point. I just want the system w/ the "less fleas". The MAGLEV is clean. It is a repeatable system. It gives us long-term flexiblitly.

We are paying NOW. The standard OKLAHOMA answer / response is to "Make a Toll Road"...that's jobs, right? ...Turnpike Authority.

Example: Year 2014 and the I-235/I-44 Interchange @ $200 Million, out of Who's Budget? ....ODOT. If we wait to build it 20 years from now, then what will be the price tag then? .... $350 Million?

So, if we begin to build this MAGLEV today, the cost will be significantly less, than if we wait until 2035. That is just dollars-on-dollars. Guess what, ODOT will keep telling us "they" don't have the money in the budget. ??? Why is that?

Also, this is the same reason / purpose that we started (MAPS) in the first place. The people had to go "outside" the existing system ( City Gov. / ODOT's ) of the world, just to make sure that this happens. Dedicate the dollars to be spent exactly how we want them to.

We can do this w/ a regional MAGLEV system that places all of the OKC metro into a growth mode of success. ( I am not against the Downtown Boom. I love it.) Let's lead on this.

I'm all for building rail-based transportation NOW, not in the future. But MAGLEV is unnecessarily expensive for local transportation and access.

I'm all for building rail-based transportation NOW, not in the future. But MAGLEV is unnecessarily expensive for local transportation and access.

My car is expensive now, ...new tires @ $100 each. Gas is expensive now. Insurance on my car, to travel down the highway w/ all the other poor drivers, is expensive. lol.

The price of a ticket, can be purchaced in a yearly pass. We can set the price very low at the beginning. ( we won't give it to the Turnpike Authority.)

Why make things more complicated than they need to be?

Final cost on the Crosstown was $680 million.

That's what I thought, but I was also thinking that price tag included the boulevard as well which shouldn't be used in this example.

[QUOTE=Just the facts;690359]Why make things more complicated than they need to be?[/QUOTE

You mean individually or collectively?

Let's show the world, that if the dumb Okie's can figure it out, then it must be easy. lol.

My car is expensive now, ...new tires @ $100 each. Gas is expensive now. Insurance on my car, to travel down the highway w/ all the other poor drivers, is expensive. lol.

The price of a ticket, can be purchaced in a yearly pass. We can set the price very low at the beginning. ( we won't give it to the Turnpike Authority.)

We are already fighting and uphill battle with narrow-minded pavement lovers. We also don't know the impacts of rail on the area, though I think it would be better than some expect. I just don't see how we can justify the MAGLEV costs right now. We need to get rail established and the network built now before going for the diamond standard system.

Basic Commuter Rail is going to run $1-25 million per mile since we have a lot of existing track that can be used. If we get the network built out as fast as we can (since a full network is going to have the maximum impact and efficiency) and we see the Norman-OKC-Edmond line is bursting to the seems and a revenue monster, then we can talk about maglev.

We are already fighting and uphill battle with narrow-minded pavement lovers. We also don't know the impacts of rail on the area, though I think it would be better than some expect. I just don't see how we can justify the MAGLEV costs right now. We need to get rail established and the network built now before going for the diamond standard system.

Basic Commuter Rail is going to run $1-25 million per mile since we have a lot of existing track that can be used. If we get the network built out as fast as we can (since a full network is going to have the maximum impact and efficiency) and we see the Norman-OKC-Edmond line is bursting to the seems and a revenue monster, then we can talk about maglev.

One question, do you use a standard DVD or Blu Ray? ...the DVD is cheaper?

They use the existing track in the RUST Belt / NE / Chicago , but it is not their preference. It is the RIGHT Technology for the Right time. Impacts of the rail area? ...Environmental Impact is ZERO.

Point: Don't build it twice. They makes (zero dollar sense). Why do you think the Northeast is using the MAGLEV technology now?



I'll give it a shot .... If we spend 1-3 M

Orlando is a city that is a modern city that is not "stuck" in the early 1900's. OKC is the same. Let's build it right once. Its not a diamond cost, just a diamond in value.


$800M maglev passenger rail back on track? - Orlando Business Journal (http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/print-edition/2012/12/07/800m-maglev-passenger-rail-back-on.html)

OKVision4U, run for an elected office and I'll back you, but only after you tell me how you're going to pay for it without paying for a bunch of additional interest because you want to build the whole thing out up front. When you have a feasible solution, get back to me on the MAGLEV.

I admire your fire but the regional transportation plan that is in the works right now is perfect for OKC. We don't need to prove anything to the world.

...or we could just go with the streetcar that was just approved and commuter rail that is under development now. As for monorail, there a lots problems with a monorail system from the physical/psychological barrier they create, to their lack of scalability, to their Le Corbusier style of separating people on multiple planes, to their slow speed and rough ride. Many cities have tried monorails (Seattle, Jacksonville, Detroit, Miami); they work great at Disney World where everyone boards at the same location and gets off at the same destination, but they don't work well as mass transit system where the riders get on and off at different locations. I have never ridden the Las Vegas monorail but at $5 per ride I am surprised anyone rides it.
I rode the Vegas monorail every trip after it opened as it took me from the MGM (Coke and M&M Worlds are located in front) directly to Star Trek: The Experience at the Hilton )off Strip). Bought the 24 or 48 hr pass and could get on/off as many times as you wanted (think it was $10 or $15 with coupon), think they had a other options for locals. IIRC, the Monorail was primarily funded by the Casinos. There was talk about expanding it to the airport but don't know if that stalled or not. Ridership seemed to be sparse I think mainly due to the fact that most of the stops were located on the backside of the Strip casino properties, which means a lot of walking the length of the property to get on/off. What I loved about the Hilton stop was it dropped you off at the entrance to Star trek and you didn't have to walk the Hilton Casino property. But I would ride it again if it is where I am at and going to where I want to be. The trip was quick, relatively inexpensive, clean and safe and smooth ride (much smoother than the new I-40)

OKVision4U, run for an elected office and I'll back you, but only after you tell me how you're going to pay for it without paying for a bunch of additional interest because you want to build the whole thing out up front. When you have a feasible solution, get back to me on the MAGLEV.

I admire your fire but the regional transportation plan that is in the works right now is perfect for OKC. We don't need to prove anything to the world.

"The Maglev rail system would be privately funded by American Maglev President Tony Morris and Spanish firm Groupo ACS, which specializes in infrastructure construction projects worldwide."

Ok, now that I have found the source for funding, let's get started.

...I don't want to run for anything. But thanks for the vote of confidence.

That's what I thought, but I was also thinking that price tag included the boulevard as well which shouldn't be used in this example.
Originally, the Boulevard was included in the Crosstown relocation project costs, but due to ever increasing costs, they separated the Boulevard out. The $680 million JTF mention is just for the Crosstown (if not mistaken). Add in whatever the Boulevard ends up costing to that amount to figure out the true cost. Not sure how all of that works into what you are talking about...

It is a great resource. You are correct, if it was "on the front side" of the strip, there would be even more traffic.

It also drops you off at the convention front too. ...

How did this thread get hijacked by a MAGLEV Monorail enthusiast?

Right now there's no political support for a high speed maglev system in OKC. There's just not. Our cool little streetcar drew lots of opposition, and it had a lot of voter support. Proposing maglev trains as a solution to transit problems in OKC is like suggesting legalizing marijuana as a method of reducing jail costs. You might be right, but it's just not gonna pass right now.

What we need to do first is get the streetcar running and have a plan in place for commuter rail. Once people get a taste of the streetcar, and as the downtown/Bricktown area becomes more dense, I think you'll get more support for initializing commuter rail. People will like the idea of taking the train to a Thunder game, riding the streetcar up to Midtown for a few drinks, and then taking the train back to Edmond so they don't have to worry about parking. But we have to make sure step 1 (streetcar) works first.

This is a car-centric city, and it's going to take time to change the prevailing attitude of the city. This city won't fund maglev trains.

If we spent $350 M in the originall MAPS, ...and that has since become a total investment of $5 Billion in OKC, then why would we be affraid of this investment?

MAGLEV Line for OKC Metro ...

Edmond - OKC - Norman. 40 miles @ $800 million.

MAGLEV Line for El Reno - Yukon - OKC - MWC - Choctaw. 40 Miles @ $800 million.

This is the next logical step. I would vote for this as a larger MAPS (type) initiative.

...and if we get the Oakland Raiders NFL Team, then we will need this anyway.

How did this thread get hijacked by a MAGLEV Monorail enthusiast?

...i'm guess'n the subject title. ...let's see modern streetcar & commuter transit... YEP, it's the correct one.

I love monorails.

But seriously, maybe a separate thread specifically on it? We had such a great political (and deserved) bashing going on. lol And it was actually regarding the streetcar!

If Orlando is able to maglev for $20 million a mile...then maybe there is something there. However, the streetcar resistance shows how much force there is against rail here. Which explains why we have no problem approving a project that cost $151 million a mile (I-40) but we can't get commuter rail up and going now or spend months/years arguing over a small streetcar system.

I love monorails.

But seriously, maybe a separate thread specifically on it? We had such a great political (and deserved) bashing going on. lol And it was actually regarding the streetcar!

I know we have several different rail threads already, but maybe we should get one single "Regional Rail Solutions" thread and go with it for discussions like this.

Right now there's no political support for a high speed maglev system in OKC. There's just not. Our cool little streetcar drew lots of opposition, and it had a lot of voter support. Proposing maglev trains as a solution to transit problems in OKC is like suggesting legalizing marijuana as a method of reducing jail costs. You might be right, but it's just not gonna pass right now.

What we need to do first is get the streetcar running and have a plan in place for commuter rail. Once people get a taste of the streetcar, and as the downtown/Bricktown area becomes more dense, I think you'll get more support for initializing commuter rail. People will like the idea of taking the train to a Thunder game, riding the streetcar up to Midtown for a few drinks, and then taking the train back to Edmond so they don't have to worry about parking. But we have to make sure step 1 (streetcar) works first.

This is a car-centric city, and it's going to take time to change the prevailing attitude of the city. This city won't fund maglev trains.

...and in 1992, Al Eschbach said "Oklahoma City will be lucky to get NHL team, and they will never get an NBA team".

No, the success of the streetcars will be fine. OK, who would vote against it? ... the commuters? ...the businesses? ...the students? ...the senior groups ( love mass transit). Not many would oppose in a Vote. They may be a vocal group, but not with many numbers of support.

...and in 1992, Al Eschbach said "Oklahoma City will be lucky to get NHL team, and they will never get an NBA team".

No, the success of the streetcars will be fine. OK, who would vote against it? ... the commuters? ...the businesses? ...the students? ...the senior groups ( love mass transit). Not many would oppose in a Vote. They may be a vocal group, but not with many numbers of support.

Baby steps...

Let's see what the downtown circulator does. If it's successful in taking cars off the roads, let's look at commuter rail. Commuter rail to me is a pretty hard sale at this point. You can get everywhere so quickly in a car--and that's with no one using public transit. I'd be willing to look at any information to the contrary, but when my commute through the heaviest traffic parts of the state takes between 15-30 minutes, it's hard to see the benefit of $800MM invested plus maintenance. 10-15 years from now, we might have a dense urban core and the cost-benefit ratio with gasoline and parking costs might throw the cost-benefit issue in a different direction.

all this talk about monorail and not one mention of one of the greatest The Simpsons episodes ever?

If Orlando is able to maglev for $20 million a mile...then maybe there is something there. However, the streetcar resistance shows how much force there is against rail here. Which explains why we have no problem approving a project that cost $151 million a mile (I-40) but we can't get commuter rail up and going now or spend months/years arguing over a small streetcar system.

Venture79 ...you are dead on. I am all for the streetcars. It should be really neat to "jump" on in OKC. ...just don't care for the wires. That is a preference, I'm not bashing. Let's get this moving forward.

If it's successful in taking cars off the roads, let's look at commuter rail. Commuter rail to me is a pretty hard sale at this point.

If you are going to measure rail success by 'cars off the road' rail is going to be a failure. On average 30% of all traffic is latent demand so during rush hour every car that is taken off the road there is another one waiting to take its place. Rail only solves traffic congestion for those who take the train. Also, we don't need to sell commuter rail to anyone. That is closer to reality than most people know.


all this talk about monorail and not one mention of one of the greatest The Simpsons episodes ever?

I did post a Max Power scene. Does that count?

If you are going to measure rail success by 'cars off the road' rail is going to be a failure. On average 30% of all traffic is latent demand so during rush hour every car that is taken off the road there is another one waiting to take its place. Rail only solves traffic congestion for those who take the train. Also, we don't need to sell commuter rail to anyone. That is closer to reality than most people know.



I did post a Max Power scene. Does that count?

Yes, that was great! I nearly fell out of the chair.

If you are going to measure rail success by 'cars off the road' rail is going to be a failure. On average 30% of all traffic is latent demand so during rush hour every car that is taken off the road there is another one waiting to take its place. Rail only solves traffic congestion for those who take the train. Also, we don't need to sell commuter rail to anyone. That is closer to reality than most people know.

For OKC? What do you know about that?

I'm seeing a lot of utility right now for urban circulator systems, but as to commuter rail, that seems a harder sale. The expansion of I-44 and planned work on other interstate systems in OKC seem to alleviate a lot of the trouble we've had. I drive I-44 and I-40 at rush hour every day, both ways. Once I-44 is opened back up, I expect things'll flow pretty smoothly.

Thought this was an interest bit of info from Steve's chat:

Philip - 12:09 p.m. With a route now chosen and rails getting closer to being laid, why are we still seeing no apparent attempt for coordination with the P180 work to still be done?

Steve Lackmeyer - 12:11 p.m. Because city staff have long insisted they are required to finish Project 180 by 2014. The latest report, released this week, indicates completion of Project 180 in 2016. If you figure this out, let me know ...

Now that it is delayed by more than three years, I really wish they would work MAPS 3 to get this done right and quickly. There has been enough of a delay and it they would just work with the city to coordinate, especially with Robinson being a major artery through the city. It would be stupid to tear it up twice. Once they get the ok, how long will it take to simply lay the new track.

For OKC? What do you know about that?

I'm seeing a lot of utility right now for urban circulator systems, but as to commuter rail, that seems a harder sale. The expansion of I-44 and planned work on other interstate systems in OKC seem to alleviate a lot of the trouble we've had. I drive I-44 and I-40 at rush hour every day, both ways. Once I-44 is opened back up, I expect things'll flow pretty smoothly.

Here is an exmaple of "hard sell"... Telling me that the ODOT will have things flow pretty smoothly. Now that is a hard sell. This is the same group that provides us (customers / drivers) this product... On / Off Ramps w/ 100 ft. of decision making room for my family to make. I-240 is loaded w/ this brilliance.

I am here to say that we won't let the commuter rail fall under any ODOT authority.

...and in 1992, Al Eschbach said "Oklahoma City will be lucky to get NHL team, and they will never get an NBA team".

No, the success of the streetcars will be fine. OK, who would vote against it? ... the commuters? ...the businesses? ...the students? ...the senior groups ( love mass transit). Not many would oppose in a Vote. They may be a vocal group, but not with many numbers of support.

Al Eschbach being wrong about something bears no relation to whether a maglev monorail system will pass in OKC.

I did post a Max Power scene. Does that count?

work filter blocked it

Al Eschbach being wrong about something bears no relation to whether a maglev monorail system will pass in OKC.

...so true. But the point is this, even (so called "experts" in their respective fields) can be wrong. Way wrong.

I'm so glad that Mr. Norick did not listen to the group called " THEY " back in 92'. They say it can't be done. They say we will never have a major league team. They say no one will ever ride in those boats in the canal. They say we're just not ready for that kind of investment.

The streetcars will be a neat thing to add to our City. ...let's get in the front and support it, not the caboose and slow it down.

I love monorails.

But seriously, maybe a separate thread specifically on it? We had such a great political (and deserved) bashing going on. lol And it was actually regarding the streetcar!

Speaking of, are you the same Jeff that Steve keeps bugging to let him report on what you told him about the Jacobs hiring?

Speaking of, are you the same Jeff that Steve keeps bugging to let him report on what you told him about the Jacobs hiring?

Yep. I had a private conversation. Totally off the cuff. I don't remember everything that was said but I feel that some of the the conversation was taken out of context and that I may have said somethings that simply weren't accurate. And quite frankly, I wasn't myself that day... and I mean physically.

Either way, I ended up being audited by Shadid for it. The audit cleared me entirely. But obviously there is a desire to create controversy.

I would prefer that a the verbal exchange (that wasn't documented) be kept private. All we need is more unfounded conspiracy theories.

I do respect Steve for keeping the conversation private, but I don't appreciate him continuously bringing up the fact that one occurred on twitter and other mediums.

I am a volunteer and am self employed. The audit itself was enough of an event already. And by the way, I pretty much publicly debated this with Shadid on Tuesday. It is unprecedented to call an audit on a volunteer. Even more unprecedented to continue to persecute one publicly after the volunteer is cleared.

But that is the way of it in mayoral political land.

Yep. I had a private conversation. Totally off the cuff. I don't remember everything that was said but I feel that some of the the conversation was taken out of context and that I may have said somethings that simply weren't accurate. And quite frankly, I wasn't myself that day... and I mean physically.

Either way, I ended up being audited by Shadid for it. The audit cleared me entirely. But obviously there is a desire to create controversy.

I would prefer that a the verbal exchange (that wasn't documented) be kept private. All we need is more unfounded conspiracy theories.

I do respect Steve for keeping the conversation private, but I don't appreciate him continuously bringing up the fact that one occurred on twitter and other mediums.

I am a volunteer and am self employed. The audit itself was enough of an event already. And by the way, I pretty much publicly debated this with Shadid on Tuesday. It is unprecedented to call an audit on a volunteer. Even more unprecedented to continue to persecute one publicly after the volunteer is cleared.

But that is the way of it in mayoral political land.

I watched the exchange. Two things...Shadid was way out of line in his questions to you and you did an outstanding job with in your retort. I kind of liked Shadid until I saw that shameful display. I now understand the contempt folks have for him.

BTW thank you for your volunteer service.

Thank you. That is very kind.

"The Maglev rail system would be privately funded by American Maglev President Tony Morris and Spanish firm Groupo ACS, which specializes in infrastructure construction projects worldwide."

Ok, now that I have found the source for funding, let's get started.

...I don't want to run for anything. But thanks for the vote of confidence.

Yeah, I'm not playing Sim City, lol.

Yeah, I'm not playing Sim City, lol.

If only we could...anyone know if Bill Gates is bored with his money yet?

Yep. I had a private conversation. Totally off the cuff. I don't remember everything that was said but I feel that some of the the conversation was taken out of context and that I may have said somethings that simply weren't accurate. And quite frankly, I wasn't myself that day... and I mean physically.

Either way, I ended up being audited by Shadid for it. The audit cleared me entirely. But obviously there is a desire to create controversy.

I would prefer that a the verbal exchange (that wasn't documented) be kept private. All we need is more unfounded conspiracy theories.

I do respect Steve for keeping the conversation private, but I don't appreciate him continuously bringing up the fact that one occurred on twitter and other mediums.

I am a volunteer and am self employed. The audit itself was enough of an event already. And by the way, I pretty much publicly debated this with Shadid on Tuesday. It is unprecedented to call an audit on a volunteer. Even more unprecedented to continue to persecute one publicly after the volunteer is cleared.

But that is the way of it in mayoral political land.

I appreciate you explaining this in greater detail. I'll have to go back and watch the exchange. But knowing the backstory is most helpful and I thank you for sharing.

I certainly commend you for remaining involved and staying with the cause. It is appreciated!

Here is a concept I thought up this morning...

After a posted this idea earlier in the summer, I spend a little bit of time refining the idea and graphics. If you are interested, you can see that here:

Modern Streetcar OKC | Andrew Stewart (http://andrewkstewart.wordpress.com/2013/09/13/modern-streetcar-okc/)

Just for fun, in light of the recent approval of the Zeta route framework, I modified my idea and added potential routes for high-frequency bus service:

http://andrewkstewart.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/transit_zeta-with-buses-1200.jpg (http://andrewkstewart.wordpress.com/2013/09/13/modern-streetcar-okc/)

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After a posted this idea earlier in the summer, I spend a little bit of time refining the idea and graphics. If you are interested, you can see that here:

Modern Streetcar OKC | Andrew Stewart (http://andrewkstewart.wordpress.com/2013/09/13/modern-streetcar-okc/)



Love the green line. Nearly front door service for me. :)

Very cool

A lot of good stuff in there. Couple critiques:

1. Too many stops.

2. Would like to see the Green line go up Harrison and NE 8th and the Pink Line cut up Lincoln and finish it's east bound length on 8th.

3. Yellow Line should skip the Plaza and extend all the way up to 23rd, and the Purple line should shoot up Broadway. The Bus route on 23rd by then could be an 8 minute route. It would spawn more TOD on two roads that desperately need it, and you're not getting tracks through Heritage Hills/Mesta anyway. OCU and Classen SAS are then far more directly served by the Yellow route, and you could put a bike share at Classen/16th for people to quickly get to the Plaza.

4. I think the orange/red line should be combined as one red line and you can leave the orange tail as just orange.

5. Send the top of the Light green line over to 4th to connect it with the "other-direction" on the circulator without need for multiple transfers.

ON EDIT: 6. Green and Pink lines need to extend west into the circulator one more time so that people can go either direction on the circulator.