NOTE: This page is an old page created when the Seattle Monorail Project was still alive. I have made some revisions in this page, but it may still refer to the Project as if it were still active. However the ideas expressed in this page apply to any future project.

Monorail is just an expensive amusement ride. It is true that the Disney resort parks such as Disneyland have monorails. However most of these are scaled-down versions made for the park and are obviously designed primarily for amusement purposes. However the proposed system for the Seattle region is a full-size version designed for the purpose of rapid mass transit. No doubt some people will ride them for fun, but most of the riders will be using the monorail for the usual transit purposes, such as going to work, going to school, going shopping, or visiting friends. So the monorail will be no more of an amusement ride than busses, light rail, commuter rail, and subway trains.

I live in Ballard and I wanted the monorail, but now I will vote against it because now it won’t go to Ballard and Crown Hill! This shortened line is just the first step, to get started. Once it is approved then work can begin on the second step, planning the rest of the line. If you want the monorail to go to Ballard, then please be sure vote for the shortened line. The second step will not happen unless we take the first step.

I want monorail but I live in a different part of Seattle. The Green Line is of no use to me. The plan set forth in 2002 is for a system of five monorail lines in Seattle. Since then a sixth one has been suggested. To build all of them at once would cost many billions of dollars. They had to start somewhere, and they decided on the Green Line. After work is underway on completion of the Green Line, then planning begins on the next line. Service to your part of town might be many years away, but the sooner we get underway with the Green Line, the sooner more lines will be built. Please vote “Yes!” on Proposition 1 to build the monorail!

I drive and will never use the monorail, so why should I have to pay car tab taxes to build something I will never use? Even if you never use the monorail, many people will benefit, and your tax dollars will help improve the liveability of Seattle. And many people will decide to use the monorail rather than drive for some trips, especially downtown or to sports events and other events. The monorail may not make a dramatic improvement in traffic, but at least there will be some improvement. This will help make your drive easier.

People aren’t going to give up their cars to take the monorail! I really don’t expect many people to get rid of their cars. That just isn’t a realistic expectation, although probably a few will. However, I think that many people will decide to take the monorail rather than drive for at least a few of their trips. Many people hate the stress of driving in congested traffic, and then having to deal with the cost of finding a parking space and paying for the high cost of parking downtown or at sporting events and other special events. Add to that the risk of being late due to congestion or an accident that ties up traffic. Many people who are convenient to the monorail will decide to save time, money, and hassle by leaving the car at home and taking the monorail.

It costs too much! It is expensive, but what are the alternatives? Light rail or a subway will cost much more. Bus rapid transit may cost less but will be slower and have much more impact on traffic. Costs go up year by year, so waiting until another year will cost a lot more. Our transportation problems only get worse with time. Let’s bite the bullet and get started now on a monorail rapid transit system!

The Monorail Society's web site has a page debunking arguments against monorail, with photos comparing subways, light rail, and monorail.

©2002 Robert M. Fleming Jr.
This page was last updated 4 May 2007.