Mayor breaks tie in favor of Auburn transit

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Monday, May 21. 2012

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The proposed public transportation system for the City of Auburn caused a difference of opinion among citizens and even council members, but in the end it was mayor Linda Blechinger who had the final say. Blechinger broke a deadlocked 2-2 council vote to approve the Auburn Neighborhood Transit (ANT) which city officials hope will provide an estimated $10,000 in net profit each year.

The plan is to begin the transit service June 4 on a Monday through Friday schedule of 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. A morning connection to Gwinnett County would leave a designate park and ride lot at 5:10 a.m. and return to Auburn at 6:15 p.m.

“One part of the big plan for the city is to improve our infrastructure,” the mayor said. “We need people to come downtown if we are going to grow our businesses. This is just one part of the big plan. Building on the downtown area is part of our plan. Let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater over this one issue.”

The mayor’s argument did not convince council members Peggy Langley and Bob Vogel, who voted against the proposal. Council members Donna Scouten and Dorissa Shackleford voted in favor.

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#1 Yea, If you believe that this will make a profit.... on 05/21/12 at 11:04 AM [Reply]

I have some Swamp land and 6 bridges to sell you if you really think this ideas will make a PROFIT...

If you do, then you probably think we are also in the best economy ever too!

#1.1 Michael Robinson on 05/21/12 at 03:55 PM [Reply]

Public services exist for their utility to the public, not profit. What matters is whether or not they improve life in the city enough (good measure of economic health) to make up for the expense.

#1.1.1 Anonymous on 05/22/12 at 09:16 AM [Reply]

That, a government subsidize service, should be the given EXCUSE for it, not trying to make up a fact that it should make a profit.

#1.1.1.1 Michael Robinson on 05/22/12 at 09:42 AM [Reply]

They should still try to run a neutral budget. The post office was doing it before congress told them to create a 5-year pension fund, and earned a lot of respect for managing it.

But for public services, profit and value should be parallel priorities.

#2 Anonymous on 05/21/12 at 12:19 PM [Reply]

I am excited to now have a way to get around without depending on family or friends to take me places.

#2.1 Seriously, ---Whoopie! on 05/21/12 at 12:33 PM [Reply]

Like where within Auburn are you excited about going, McDonalds? AND I hope you Understand you will be PAYING for this Ride, Right??

Who needs to be with friends and family anyway, right? -You can support this system, I hope you PAY & RIDE ALL DAY Everyday...

#2.1.1 Anonymous on 05/21/12 at 12:39 PM [Reply]

I completely understand, I am willing, when you are not able to drive yourself this kind of community support is something to be grateful for. You did read that they will possibly go to Walmart and also to Discover Mills. Sometimes being disabled can be a burden on family members especially if they have work and stuff to tend to.

#2.1.1.1 Please explain on 05/22/12 at 09:21 AM [Reply]

And how is going to Wally World and Discover Mills going to develop and bring business to Auburn? Are they going there to pick up money to spend in Auburn?

#3 Auburn resident on 05/21/12 at 01:30 PM [Reply]

I can understand about people needing a ride, but I just don't think Auburn is a big enough city nor have the demand for a transit service. Maybe just getting a taxi service or two in the area. I mean, Winder doesn't even have a transit service. All it does it give people one more reason to ridicule the city for ridiculous decisions, like the $8000 Christmas tree.

#4 Kate Bradley on 05/21/12 at 02:48 PM [Reply]

Next time, Blecchipoo needs to vote to change the town's name to Hootersville, so me and the girls can run the Shady Rest.

#5 I love the Idea of the trolley on 05/21/12 at 03:17 PM [Reply]

People can hop the trolley in Auburn, ride it to Discovery Mills, hop the Gwinnett Transit and not have to drive into Atlanta -- PERFECT!

#5.1 Fortitude on 05/21/12 at 03:47 PM [Reply]

just remember, that works in revers, so watch out for higher crime. When Gwinnett Implemented its transit system, we saw a rise in theft in the area, too many hoodlems getting a cheap ride around town

#5.2 Anonymous on 05/21/12 at 03:51 PM [Reply]

Where is this "Discovery" Mills?

#5.2.1 My Bad on 05/21/12 at 04:44 PM [Reply]

Discover Mills

#6 What a waste on 05/21/12 at 10:49 PM [Reply]

Ok, so you're going to provide a trolley to travel from City Hall to Dakotas. Yay! I can now park my car on one side of the tracks and catch a trolley to take me the 300 yards to eat. WOOHOOO!!!

COME ON!!!! Mt Moriah is barely driveable. You have to stradle the yellow line in order to keep your car from blowing out it's alignment and balance. I don't need signs to tell me when I'm on the Gwinnett County and Unincorporated portion of the road. The City portion of the roadway might as well be a dirt road its so horrendous.

Ask Clayton County about how "profitable" their now non-existant C-Tran was. Ask MARTA about their ROI. You think this thing is going to make money for the city? I guess we know what happened to all the narcotics in Auburn PD's Evidence Room.

#7 nice thing on 05/22/12 at 01:44 AM [Reply]

is if they do get a transit system they can create a police force for it and if it can serve x amount of commuters then they can get all kinds of Federal funds from Homeland security oh the money that can be shaken from the federal money tree!!!!!!

#8 mark my words on 05/22/12 at 06:23 AM [Reply]

I can't tell which is harder to believe...1 that they voted on this and passed it, or 2 that someone had the idea in the first place!

#9 Realist on 05/22/12 at 07:05 AM [Reply]

Let's be realistic.

Trolley (used): $250,0000
Maintainance: 100,000
Employees, 3: 50,0000 (total of salary and benefits)
Ridership: 6 per unit, per 1 way trip (based on C-Tran start up)
Cost per 1 way ticket: 96.90 to reach goal of 10,000 profit.

Model does not factor in fuel cost. Amortization of vehicle is 10 yrars. Does not factor in second vehicle to cover route during maintainance down time.

#9.1 Sorry for typo on 05/22/12 at 07:16 AM [Reply]

My appologies for the typo, the Employee Salary line should read $50,000, instead of 500,000.

#9.2 Anonymous on 05/22/12 at 07:20 AM [Reply]

Wow, maybe you should take the trolley back to school and learn how to type.

#9.2.1 Must be a supporter on 05/22/12 at 07:30 AM [Reply]

Figures a supporter wouldn't come up with a name and the criticize 2 typos, and not face the facts of the numbers. No public transit system in the nation has ever turned a profit. They have done nothing but bleed money. C-Tran cost Clayton County $10.5 million dollars per year for 7 years. They ran 25 routes and had an average of 9 people per unit per one way trip throughout the 7 years. After seven years, they got rid of public transit.

#9.3 Getting on my nerve on 05/22/12 at 07:44 AM [Reply]

You are really gets on my nerve all you do is complain complain complain for god sake get a life and let the people that is trying to improve do it and for those that do not believe in what they are doing then why don't you do something about it. Oh wait you want so shut up.

#9.4 Michael Robinson on 05/22/12 at 08:06 AM [Reply]

Where are these numbers from?

#9.4.1 @Michael source of number on 05/22/12 at 09:59 AM [Reply]

Not sure why you want a source of expenses, but common knowledge and sense are good sources. Even the tax code will give over 50 cents/mile for business use of a vehicle. Operation of a "trolley" would have to be greater than a typical vehicle taking a standard tax deduction.
Think about it. Running 8-9 hours 5 days a week on an 11 mile loop at 20MPH plus 2 round trips to Discover Mills should be 100,000 miles or so a year. Just estimate what you think a vehicle like this mostly traveling stop and go would get in fuel mileage.
Then there is payroll for 2-3 drivers, insurance, etc.
Not sure what size this trolley is, but might Goggle bus,truck mileage or expense or ask a truck operator to get rough guesstimate.

#9.4.1.1 Michael Robinson on 05/22/12 at 10:08 AM [Reply]

It's good form in serious discussions to cite the source of facts and numbers. Realist has a good excuse for not being able to provide them directly.

Knowing it takes a FOIA request is still a good starting point for someone looking to go deeper into the numbers.

#9.4.1.1.1 @Michael source of number on 05/22/12 at 10:22 AM [Reply]

Most of the figures Realist gave seem to me to be arrived at from reasonable assumptions and a little simple math.

#10 Realist on 05/22/12 at 08:39 AM [Reply]

The numbers are compiled from data obtained from DOT and US Department of Labor.

#10.1 Michael Robinson on 05/22/12 at 08:48 AM [Reply]

Government sites don't make it easy to find this kind of data unless you're downloading it in raw form for processing. Do you still have the links to the pages where you found these numbers?

#11 Realist on 05/22/12 at 08:57 AM [Reply]

It requires FOIA Request.

#12 Why do they call it a trolley?? on 05/22/12 at 11:03 AM [Reply]

My understanding is a trolley, also often known as a streetcar, operates on external power supplied by overhead conductors or on tracks like a train. I don't believe this is a trolley, but a bus.

#13 Anonymous on 05/22/12 at 01:08 PM [Reply]

Who are these people, my God.

#13.1 Anonymous on 05/22/12 at 02:18 PM [Reply]

Which people?

#14 Anonymous on 05/22/12 at 03:08 PM [Reply]

Well while you folks complain, I am going to gloat and use the transit system while we have it. It's in place now so we might as well use it.

#15 these people / you folks on 05/22/12 at 05:29 PM [Reply]

Great! Hope it makes millions of dollars.
Who knows, might even have as good of odds as the lottery.
Where can one get a bus route and schedule?
Do you know if there is a backup plan in case the bus has a breakdown? Hate to get stranded or be late to work.

#16 Anonymous on 05/22/12 at 08:32 PM [Reply]

I hope it goes to the emergency room. That will be great for when I have a headache. Wont have to the ambulance anymore.

#16.1 Anonymous on 05/22/12 at 08:53 PM [Reply]

I doubt it makes emergency runs for individuals.
If you could go in a bus, looks like a taxi would be much cheaper that an ambulance.

#17 Follow the money on 05/23/12 at 07:48 AM [Reply]

Somebody is getting a kick back..... Just follow the money.

#17.1 Michael Robinson on 05/23/12 at 08:15 AM [Reply]

You would be good at this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_journalism

#17.1.1 Anonymous on 05/23/12 at 12:36 PM [Reply]

No one with a brain EVER cites wikipedia as a source. Not seriously, anyway.

#17.1.1.1 Michael Robinson on 05/23/12 at 01:48 PM [Reply]

There's nothing inherently wrong with Wikipedia. It's can be as good or as bad as any source.

Your teachers told you not to cite it (and the Internet in general) so they could punt teaching you how to assess a source to your college professors.

#17.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 05/23/12 at 02:33 PM [Reply]

Wikipedia can be entertaining, but as a source of accurate truthful information, it's strictly for people who wish to perpetuate their ignorance. But I see you are an argumentative fool who wants to die on that hill and lacks the education to admit when he's been caught with his britches down. You keep citing wikipedia; and people will keeping laughing at you.

#17.1.1.1.1.1 Michael Robinson on 05/23/12 at 02:55 PM [Reply]

The only difference between a well-developed Wikipedia page and an encyclopedia article is that you can see the full edit history of pages on Wikipedia.

You can even link to a specific revision if you need a citation that won't change.

Now, tell me what's wrong with the article on yellow journalism. You did look at it and determine there was a problem, right? You didn't disregard it because it was on Wikipedia? Of course, you can go and edit that error and leave a note with your reasoning. It'll be in the edit history in case someone disagrees and needs to take it to the Talk page.

But I don't think you gave the page due consideration.

There's a concept for what you're doing (logical fallacy), but the best explanation for it happens to be an entry in Wikipedia. I guess I can't cite it or a random person on the Internet will think I'm ignorant.

#17.1.1.1.1.1.1 Jimmy Malone on 05/23/12 at 07:18 PM [Reply]

http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/education/2010/march/The-Top-10-Reasons-Students-Cannot-Cite-or-Rely-on-Wikipedia.html

Here endeth the lesson.

#17.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Michael Robinson on 05/27/12 at 05:49 PM [Reply]

From the article: "Wikipedia can actually be a constructive tool in the classroom if understood and used correctly."

#17.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 hear no wiki, see no wiki, repeat no wiki on 05/27/12 at 06:07 PM [Reply]

Yea, it can be used "constructively" to teach the sayings "don't believe half you see and nothing you hear" or "trust, but verify".

#17.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2 Anonymous on 05/27/12 at 06:34 PM [Reply]

And how did you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?

#17.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1 Mrs. Lincoln on 05/27/12 at 07:01 PM [Reply]

I enjoyed it, and Mr Lincoln was blown away by it.
Is that sick or what?

#17.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1 Michael Robinson on 05/27/12 at 08:35 PM [Reply]

This is the high caliber of humor I've come to expect in this comment section.

#17.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1 Mr. Derringer on 05/28/12 at 12:49 AM [Reply]

Believe you are right. It was a fairly high caliber, I believe .41 caliber. Did Wikipedia know that?

#18 Anonymous on 05/23/12 at 04:02 PM [Reply]

You are digging your Ignorant Hole even deeper.
Encyclopedias are a joke.
No one but a first grader would cite them.
Strictly garbage in/garbage out.
It's clear that you are no scholar.
But, just keep quoting wikipedia, buddy boy, to prove how bright you are!

#19 Anonymous on 05/26/12 at 09:51 PM [Reply]

This is just a ploy to get the focus off the inner workings of the city...

#19.1 Really on 05/27/12 at 05:34 PM [Reply]

What inner workings are you saying need to be looked into? Instead of casting aspersions - wait, instead of throwing mud and seeing where it sticks, why not give some examples?

#20 Mr. Derringer on 05/28/12 at 12:12 AM [Reply]

It was a fairly high caliber, I believe .41 caliber. Did Wikipedia know that?

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Mayor breaks tie in favor of Auburn transit

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