MnDOT Wastes Federal and State Money Promoting Personal Rapid Transit (PRT)

The MN GOP always says it's for reining in spending, but the Republicans have no problem spending thousands of dollars on a notorious transportation boondoggle - Personal Rapid Transit (PRT).

MnDOT has given me the following statement regarding MnDOT expenditures for PRT:

Currently, we have an Office of Multi-Modal Innovation, under which PRT falls. The annual budget for that office is about $130,000. PRT is one of a number of issues that this office manages. Also, we spent approximately $25,000 on the Rochester PRT event and anticipate spending about $20,000 on a similar event later this summer. Both federal and state dollars fund all of these efforts.

I mentioned the fact that the Legislature does not approve of MnDOT wasting money on PRT. MnDOT responded with this statement:

As to your statement regarding Legislative guidance on PRT, studying innovation and conducting research on all modes of transportation is an important part of what we do as we prepare for future transportation needs and how those needs may affect the highway system. The Legislature understands that. It has never given us specific direction to not study PRT.

That is apparently not true. Here are some quotes stating the contrary:

Both Hornstein and Sen. Scott Dibble, who head the transit subcommittees in each chamber, said the Winona proposal has no chance of state funding. "They're not going to get nickel one of public money while I'm around," Dibble said.

Said Hornstein: "If people in the private sector want to pursue it, fine. But even a penny spent on it in these tough budget times is problematic."

Reporters need to ask MN GOP candidates running for office this year whether they approve of MnDOT wasting taxpayers money on PRT. Michele Bachmann and Tom Emmer have both supported PRT in the MN Legislature. Tim Pawlenty has also said he approves of public funding for PRT. Republicans candidates in Winona are divided.

One DFL candidate, Yvonne Prettner-Solon supported PRT in 2004. Reporters need to ask Senator Prettner-Solon whether she still supports public funding for PRT.

Mark Dayton Picks Pod Person for Running Mate

State Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon was a co-sponsor of PRT legislation with Michele Bachmann.

Watch Prettner Solon testify about the amazing awesome-ness of pods mid-way in this video clip:



DFL-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Margaret Anderson Kelliher in Session Weekly. April 23, 2004 (PDF):

I have a great concern about the PRT project - the word "boondoggle comes to mind.

Margaret Anderson Kelliher was right in 2004 about the pods and six years later, MAK is still right.

Review....

No $25 million earmark for PRT pork project in Winona, Minnesota.

The ULTra PRT launch at Heathrow has been delayed at least 3 times. The new launch date of the glorified golf carts of Heathrow is some time next month.

The Swedish/Korean PRT prototype malfunctioned recently in front of the media.

The Masdar PRT (actually computer-guided golf carts that follow magnets imbedded in the roadway) has been scaled way back. This setback got a mention in the NY Times.

The much-hyped PRT project in Daventry ended in fiasco.

The so-called Morgantown PRT (it's a mundane people-mover) was the subject of a student newspaper editorial after a malfunction created a "fireball" and filled a vehicle with smoke. The cost of fixing the Morgantown boondoggle is $93 million.

City Pages Blotter Post About the Pods

Hart Van Denburg has a post about the pods on the City Pages Blotter.

Peter "PRT Guru" Muller showed up in the comments to say the Morgantown PRT is wonderful.

That's not the opinion of WVU students who made not one, but TWO You Tube Hitler-parodies of the WVU PRT.

Here's one titled "Hitler mad at WVU's PRT":



A sample of the comments on the video:

GuitarRocker12

I love this video. I totally forgot about this until my professor talked about it a few weeks ago. It's hilarious and accurate. It sucks waiting on the PRT in freezing weather freshman year when you have no other transportation. Thank God I have my car up here now.

AngiDsigns

ROFLMAO....exactly why 7 of my 8 semesters I avoided the PRT like the plague. My dad rode it when it was new and back then they referred to it as the Perfectly Rancid Transit system.

RAbbi74

Very well done! Piece of junk just stranded me in Evansdale yesterday (right, immediately after the piece-of-junk bus left), and was down for a couple HOURS on gameday a week and a half ago, must to the dismay of all those alumni and fans.

Should honestly scrap the damned thing and admit failure...

Pod people admit failure? Never!!!