Comments on: Leading Off, No. 3, Ctd.

By: Michael Davis

Michael Davis — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:06:40 +0000

The article also says that they DART will be purchasing hedges to protect against increasing prices.

By: John

John — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:22:52 +0000

On another transportation related topic, I’d be interested in your collective thoughts about the downtown “trolley” idea that’s been getting play in the papers.

While I can certainly see some value to having some sort of mass transit moving folks in and around downtown (and hopefully the surrounding areas), a trolley strikes me as a waste of money and limited surface space. Many moons ago, Dallas had a perfectly good approach to downtown transport — the Hop-a-Bus. I grant you that the vehicles themselves were a little silly, but they got the job done.

If Dallas wants to reinstitute downtown transport, I’m all for it — but it seems that some sort of bus is significantly cheaper and far more flexible than a “trolley.” Heck – we can buy vehicles that look like trolley cars if that’s what they’re shooting for.

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:13:12 +0000

The last time natural gas was inexpensive Dallas County was talked into purchasing a natural gas cogenerator plant. This was in 1991-92 when prices for natural gas were very low. The idea was that the county could buy natural gas very cheap, generate electricity lower than TU Electric, sell the excess back to TU at a profit. The generator was built behind the county jail for 3 million dollars. No one ever expected prices to spike up. They did. County was stuck with an enormous mess. They could not give the turbine away.

Same thing will happen to DART. Watch.

By: Brent D.

Brent D. — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:59:44 +0000

If the Diesel Technology Forum says diesel is better it must be true. What do you reckon the Natural-gas Technology Forum says?