The unique combination of location, right of way, construction, technology and system operational characteristics presented by monorails represents the only viable private participation opportunity in the public mass transportation industry of the United States. With virtually one hundred percent of mass transportation development and operation now regulated, funded and implemented by governmental or quasi-governmental entities, private initiative and investment are restricted or prohibited, and are confined to roles as outside contractors in current transportation decision making, planning, development or service throughout the United States.
Private investment and initiative in stimulating public-private cooperative agreements and joint ventures to produce state of the art transportation system development and services is made possible by the unique characteristics of monorail technology. Local governments with jurisdiction and ownership of property and right of way corridors ideally suited to monorail development can contribute greatly to implementation of monorail transportation systems without committing to excessive short- or long-term financing or public indebtedness. The great majority of investment and financing of monorail development, as well as, the operation and maintenance of monorail systems, can be organized and managed by private entities as private enterprise.
In helping local governments to achieve a wide variety of transportation, as well as, planning and development goals, private monorail developers and operators are able to add great value to the resources and infrastructure of local government without increasing public financial obligations or indebtedness. Additionally, successful public-private cooperation should significantly improve the regulatory, tax and investment environments of communities engaging in this level of organized cooperation and mutual support.
New monorail mass transit systems implemented as joint ventures between public entities and private developers can provide valuable public service while contributing to local economic stability. The efficiency and potential profitability of monorail services should both provide sources of tax revenues and limit the growing revenue requirements of local public transportation services.
Private commercial entities as diverse as Universal Studios Hollywood, Long Beach Harbor, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, AEG LA Live, the National Football League, Disneyland, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, San Diego Padres, and numerous public-private entities can greatly enhance their accessibility, attractiveness and commercial efficiency by means of monorail systems and services that can, literally, bring their patrons to their doors.
