Senator Markley, Representative Betts Statement on Busway Groundbreaking
May 22, 2012Senator Joe Markley (R-Southington) and Representative Whit Betts (R-Bristol) released the following statement re: Busway Groundbreaking.
“The reckless spending of nearly six hundred million taxpayer dollars is no cause for celebration. The busway—now rebranded CTFastrak–is a waste of money that would be better spent on our crumbling bridges and roads,” said Senator Markley.
The busway project:
- Will cost you $600 million to build.
- Will cost you $1000 an inch to build.
- Will eventually cost you more than $20 million a year to operate once it is completed.
- Was opposed by all Democrat state representatives in West Hartford, a town which will have two stops on the route.
- Would take money away from other worthwhile road and bridge safety and paving projects around the state.
“Again, we’re not talking about $600,000, $6 million, even $60 million but $600 million. It’s an enormous amount of money. People may say it’s federal money, but the state has a substantial stake in it in bonding money at well over $100 million. I’d also point out that insofar as it runs over its price, you and I are responsible for every single dollar of additional spending on this project,” said Rep. Betts