High Speed Train Coming?-split from boosting Canada’s military spending"

[Altair]

By this logic, Havelock, Marmora and Smiths Falls just need private investment right? Why don't you ask Porter to do it?

To answer your question, corporations do not fund large infrastructure projects.

Even as we are seeing with the MOU in Alberta, even when given free rein, corporate interests are hesitant to put their money forward. They much prefer government pay for the infrastructure that they plan to benefit from.

So all this talk of the private sector building the rail is poppycock. Balderdash. Twaddle and malarkey.

The taxpayer has always been the one funding large infrastructure projects. Even the new Gordie Howe bridge that will hopefully open one day is owned by the feds.

This thing will be built, hopefully, and then run just fine for what it's being designed to do. Then like every other infrastructure project outside of Mirabel airport, we will move on with our lives and reap the benefits. At least until the next big infrastructure project, where we do this song and dance all over again.

 

[Brad Sallows]

The point I believe is these airports don't build themselves with the power of capitalism.

Governments build these airports.

Same for HSR. Naturally the taxpayer is paying for HSR. The taxpayer pays for roads, ports, airports, ferries, bridges, why in the world wouldnt we be paying for rail?

Any private person or commercial enterprise can take a vehicle on roads, ferries, bridges, or a boat into a port, or an aircraft into an airport. I doubt there will be any provisions for private persons to take their own powered vehicles onto HSR lines, or even for business competitors to have equal access with their own rolling stock.

"Business travellers need more subsidized comfort" isn't really a strong selling point.

YVR's airport authority made a decision a few years back to borrow to fund a parkade, which apparently might not even be built to completion now. It's an excellent example of why such ventures should be fully self-funded: privatization of profits AND losses.

 

[Brad Sallows]

To answer your question, corporations do not fund large infrastructure projects.

What's the dollar value threshold for "large"?

 

[ytz]

"Business travellers need more subsidized comfort" isn't really a strong selling point.

Good thing that's not the selling point.

 

[Brad Sallows]

Good thing that's not the selling point.

It kind of is.

"Given that business travellers are the highest margin, they are what pay for development. That's the market Alto is rightfully aiming at. I'm sure you're well aware of how with airlines the 10% of passengers at the front usually generate over 50% of revenues."

Sounds like they can afford it. Sounds like they can support it. I'm all for business travellers paying for the capital and operating costs and subsidizing the rest of the economy herd.

 

[ytz]

It kind of is.

No it isn't.

What does comfort have to do with anything?

Here's a hint. Why do governments build airports, roads and subways?

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Why do governments build airports, roads and subways?

Because big political donations gotta' be paid back somehow??