MN Senate 31 Candidate Paul Ibisch Op Ed on Personal Rapid Transit in Winona

Paul Ibisch in the Winona Daily News:

The Winona Daily News editorial about the proposed Personal Rapid Transit brought to light many of its flaws
(Dec. 20).

In spite of the article, a candidate for public office endorsed the project as long as it is "not at the taxpayer's expense."
This statement is either naïve or disingenuous.

Taxpayers would carry much of the burden for the cost. If it were merely funded by private investors or academic centers, there would be little need to sell us on the idea.

Beware of slick promotions. Almost all projects of this kind have seen huge cost overruns and questionable ethics.

The system of 8.65 miles of track used in Morgantown W.Va., a city of about 20,000, cost $130 million in 1979. The initial trial of the SkyWeb Express by the University of Minnesota required $1 million donations by 68 individual investors in 2003.

More recent experiments such as those in Daventry, England, have proved very costly for the local government. The proposed costs for PRT seem suspect.

Winona has the manufacturing ability and the academic resources to take a leading role in "green" technology. There are new developments in many fields, and any one of them may provide the breakthrough which will transform transportation needs. Some environmentally friendly solutions are appealing but not practical, cost-efficient or wise. The implementation of PRT on a large scale is questionable because of the required new infrastructure.

The federal fund created with taxpayers' dollars for "job creation or retention" will likely be expended to promote election year causes. Ongoing federal or state funding will be limited by debt service for current and continued deficit spending. The only common-sense solution is to cut unnecessary programs and shrink state and federal programs.

Removing unnecessary mandates to business will improve broad-based and long-term employment prospects. Community investment at a time of economic downturn needs to focus on immediate infrastructure and support of current programs.
Ibisch is a candidate for the Minnesota Senate.

In a statement to this blog, the other GOP SD 31 candidate Jeremy Miller said this:

The State of Minnesota is facing a $1.203 billion dollar deficit for the current biennium and $5-6 billion for FY 2012-2013. Early estimates on the 2010 bonding bill are already upwards of $1 billion; this is before the 2010 session has even begun. The State of Minnesota has a serious crisis on our hands, and it must be dealt with in a fiscally responsible manner.

The PRT project is an innovative idea that could potentially work in Winona; however not at the taxpayer’s expense. I heard there are a few private investors interested in moving forward with the project, even if public funding falls through. I would support this endeavor. I am a strong advocate of private sector development/ investment, and I support tax incentives for private funding on any project that encourages investment and creates private jobs in Minnesota.

My stance on federal funding is the same.

I have also asked Senator Sharon Erickson Ropes for her position on the Winona Pod project.

SD 31 Candidate Paul Ibisch's Position on Winona Pod Plan

Paul Ibisch, candidate for State Senate in Minnesota's 31st District (campaign website):

My reaction to the slick advertising pamphlet about the Personal Rapid Transit project was one of concern for the people who attached their names to it. As a person who observed the People Mover’s development in Detroit, Michigan along with the cost overruns, government corruption and faulty workmanship, I am slow to embrace the claims of PRT. The people who without reservation promote this project are taking a tremendous risk. The system of 8.65 miles of track used in Morgantown WV, a city of about 20,000 cost $130 million dollars in 1979 (over 4 times the estimate). The initial trial of the SkyWeb Express by the University of Minnesota required $1 million donations by 68 individual investors in 2003. More recent experiments like those in Daventry, England and the costly results may further dampen enthusiasm.

Winona has the manufacturing ability and the academic resources to take a leading role in “green” technology. While environmentally friendly solutions are welcome additions, they are not always practical, cost efficient or wise. There is nothing wrong with exploring the claims of Personal Rapid Transit, but community investment during a time of very limited resources may not be prudent. We are on the edge of new technological developments in many fields and any one of them may provide the breakthrough which will transform transportation needs. With community investment in their “cutting edge” technology, PRT has the potential to make Winona and southeastern Minnesota a byword for “gullible.” Being the test example can gain acclaim for the enlightened leaders who promote it, but a safer course for a community is to allow some other community to get the “bugs worked out of the system.” If it truly is “the answer,” a federally subsidized working model will surely follow.

The advertising pamphlet that has been circulated by community leaders does not contain the most important information needed to make a decision regarding PRT. Costs, routes, practical integration of a PRT into currently existing means of transportation, private investors and the extent of their commitment need to be at the forefront of decisions. Perhaps the federal government with the “slush fund” created with taxpayers dollars for “job creation or retention” can completely cover the costs for the PRT experiment, and the clean up if it fails. There has to be more information before anyone can make an intelligent choice.

Paul Ibisch and Jeremy Miller are seeking the Republican endorsement. Jeremy Miller's position on the Winona pods is in the previous post.

I sent a request for a statement on the Winona Pod plan to State Senator Sharon Ropes and I will post that statement when I receive it.