From the Queens Chronicle:
The $262,400 tram taxpayers funded through Borough President Helen Marshall’s office has seen little usage since it was acquired in 2008 for Fort Totten and has been out of commission this summer at the Bayside park.
The open-air vehicle, which seats 40, was purchased to make it easier for visitors to get around the 50-acre park. But there were problems from the start.
Mechanical issues first sidelined the vehicle and then the fuel tank had to be enlarged because it’s powered by compressed natural gas. If the tank had remained its original size, the tram would have had to have been transported frequently to a fueling station off-site at Flushing Meadows Park.
There was also talk about installing gas tanks at the park, but that was vehemently opposed by the community due to safety concerns and dropped.
The tram was supposed to operate from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends until the end of June and daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. after that through Labor Day.
Asked what had happened to the tram this year, the Parks Department sent the following comment: “A 16-seat electric cart currently provides transportation for senior swim classes and during special events. Operating the cart is more efficient than the tram as it uses fewer staff and does not require special fuel to be brought in.”
11 comments:
Looks like some boondoggle dreamed up by a well placed incompetent hack.
$262,000.00... Hmmm, that should be able to buy about 4000 politicians at todays bargain prices.
Ann Jawin's gonna use it for her....LOL....womens center.
And this group wants to control health care as well.
Anonymous said...
Ann Jawin's gonna use it for her....LOL....womens center.
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Hey! I was gonna say that. I guess the early bird got me! :>D
The tram needs to be fueled at FMP. Having to drive it therer and back wastes time and fuel. I think they should trade the tram. FMP gets the tram, FT gets at least one more 16 seat electric car and one full time worker.
Full time worker means CPW or APSW, not a Jobs Training Program Participant or Seasonal worker. I mean a full time year round civil service worker.
Put the thing up on ebay. Maybe a zoo somewhere will buy it.
Why didn't they think about this BEFORE they bought the tram???
Why would anyone think before their actions.. Geez you people expect these people who run things to have to think them out first?
The dopes baught this tram without knowing they would also need a LP gas faciliety to charge its fuel cylinder.
All those stupid people involved should be fired.
From what I understand is being given to the USTA in Corona park. They already have the equipment to charge it
Maybe Estelle Cooper was part owner
of the gas concession at FMCP.
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