Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Shock! (... not really...)-----M-1 officials decline to discuss funding problems; taxpayers on the hook

M-1 officials decline to discuss funding problems; taxpayers on the hook
"Although federal taxpayers forked over $37.2 million to help fund the delayed M-1 streetcar project in Detroit, rail officials have refused so far to disclose the budget or operating costs.
Image result for M-1 officials decline to discuss funding problemsThat’s important because metro Detroit voters are being asked in November to begin paying for operations of the streetcars in 2024 as part of a larger regional transit plan.
Motor City Muckraker requested a copy of the M-1 construction and operating budgets after a member of the M-1 Board of Directors expressed serious concerns about the project. 
The board member, who spoke on condition on anonymity, said the $179.4 million project is costing more than anticipated because of slower-than-expected construction. 
As a result, M-1 has less money to finance the operations, which originally were targeted at $5.5 million a year..."

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