Expanding the Monorail System

[Master Yoda]

Until it becomes economically cheaper to build and operate an expanded monorail (or other mass-transit) system than it is to operate the fleet of buses on-property, you won't see it happen. It's as simple as that.

-Rob

100% true. All projects come down to return on investment. No company is going to drop upwards of a billion dollars without a way to make it back.

 

[luckyeye13]

I know there are already threads about this, but I really think Disney could and should expand the monorail system. Everyone else says money is the big problem, but really? It's DISNEY! They're loaded.
Frankly from my point of view it's a good investment.

Anyone agree or disagree?

Yes, fabroman, Disney might have lots of money, but, remember, they have to tear down Haunted Mansion and replace it, so that's going to take money, too. :brick:

 

[joel_maxwell]

100% true. All projects come down to return on investment. No company is going to drop upwards of a billion dollars without a way to make it back.

There is a reason the current system is in place.

 

[mp2bill]

If you know there are other threads why didnt you add to them instead of starting another one that will end up the same as all the others:hammer:

Hahahahahahahaha! Too true!

Expensive to what degree?
We're talking about Disney! A global corporation that could possibly start a war if they really wanted.
I would really think that money is no object to them.

I very seriously doubt this.

While I'm trying hard to stay out of the "will they do it" portion of this debate, I'm curious to know where this number comes from. While I may be comparing apples to oranges, the new light-rail system that was approved by Florida votes a couple years ago had a price tag of around $30 million per mile. While it's not an elevated system, I can't imagine that adding a 20 foot elevation increases the price-tag by a factor of ten. Wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong though I guess.

My thoughts exactly. Regardless of the price ($300 million or $30 million), adding more miles of monorail wouldn't, itself, attract more visitors. The only way they'd do it would be if they found themselves in a similar situation to a major city, where it was absolutely necessary to help ease traffic congestion.

 

[stlbobby]

The only way it would make sense to build now is if construction prices were low enough that the cost would pay for itself in fuel savings in the coming years.

I have no idea how much it would cost to extend the monorail, everything from 1 million to 300 million per mile has been thrown out on these boards, but it would seem now would be a good time to get a contract locked in place because the contractors are probably looking for work with the economy turning south. With municipalities cutting public works projects and homebuilding grinding to a halt it seems like a buyers market.

If the current low construction were factored with a sharp increase in oil prices and taxes an expansion might make sense.

But Disney would have to be seriously convinced their bus fleet expenditures would be skyrocketing soon to make such an outlay, and unless they have a crystal ball or insider knowledge of OPEC I doubt they would make this move.

 

[fabroman]

The only way it would make sense to build now is if construction prices were low enough that the cost would pay for itself in fuel savings in the coming years.

I have no idea how much it would cost to extend the monorail, everything from 1 million to 300 million per mile has been thrown out on these boards, but it would seem now would be a good time to get a contract locked in place because the contractors are probably looking for work with the economy turning south. With municipalities cutting public works projects and homebuilding grinding to a halt it seems like a buyers market.

If the current low construction were factored with a sharp increase in oil prices and taxes an expansion might make sense.

But Disney would have to be seriously convinced their bus fleet expenditures would be skyrocketing soon to make such an outlay, and unless they have a crystal ball or insider knowledge of OPEC I doubt they would make this move.

That makes sense. Too much sense.

 

[Master Yoda]

The only way it would make sense to build now is if construction prices were low enough that the cost would pay for itself in fuel savings in the coming years.

I have no idea how much it would cost to extend the monorail, everything from 1 million to 300 million per mile has been thrown out on these boards, but it would seem now would be a good time to get a contract locked in place because the contractors are probably looking for work with the economy turning south. With municipalities cutting public works projects and homebuilding grinding to a halt it seems like a buyers market.

If the current low construction were factored with a sharp increase in oil prices and taxes an expansion might make sense.

But Disney would have to be seriously convinced their bus fleet expenditures would be skyrocketing soon to make such an outlay, and unless they have a crystal ball or insider knowledge of OPEC I doubt they would make this move.

While labor is at a low material costs are still through the roof.

 

[trr1]

here is per mile in 2004 for more prices per km can be found here

Bombardier MVI
$88 million/mile
2004
Las Vegas Monorail
(7 stations/4 miles)


LRT (light rail trains)AVERAGE $46.2 million per mile found here

Ultra system Cost Per Mile Estimate:
$7M - $15M found here

 

[joel_maxwell]

That makes sense. Too much sense.

there are 2 sides to each coin. Good lesson in life. Just remember that. (see below)

While labor is at a low material costs are still through the roof.

 

[Bairstow]

I'm honestly surprised they haven't discontinued/dismantled the monorail system they have already.

 

[fabroman]

????????

Why?

 

[Mr_Tom_Morrow]

The only way I see it happening is thru the Florida high speed rail funding. They have substantial money for it and Florida wants to make WDW a stop along the line. Disney should barter a monorail expansion into the agreement