The Loco Loco Yet Again
I am currently out of the country , but the other day I saw that NZTA have agreed to extend the Loco Loco 'trial' by another 2 years . They have reduced their contribution from 70-odd percent , to 60 percent . So their contribution is now $12.2 million for the next 2 years .
Now work that out . That means the cost for 2 more years is 'only' $20million , of which 'we' pay all of , one way or another .
That is $10 million a year , or $833,000 a month , or $200,000 a week , or $30,000 a day . That is how much it is losing . $30,000 a day . 7 days a week . ( Does it run on a Sunday ? ) . I doubt it gets 300 passengers a day , so that is $100 a passenger a day IT IS LOSING . Yes , every day they light a bonfire , and throw on $30,000 !
But wait -- theres more ! It has already cost about $120 million so far . Over $80 million of that is the capital costs , which are basically worth nothing .
So calculate the capital cost , and the on-going losses , and the $25 return ticket is actually costing ratepayers and taxpayers close on $500 . Per Person . Per Day . For another 2 years !
It is never , ever , ever going to get anywhere near break even , so these geniuses for some reason decide we'll throw more money at it for another 2 years .
Even Len Brown says it should be cancelled ( and he always struck me as being not the brightest , and 'left wing' ) , as does Luxon , Seymour and anyone who knows even the slightest about running a business , or logic , or common sense .
Why , oh why ?
![](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/user_profile_profile_picture/organisation/64a21f0f4f0f50.55185956.png?170410)
Here's a mystery at your doorstep: Solve this riddle neighbours!
What cannot talk but will always reply when spoken to?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
![Image](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/message_max_size/message_images/6674dfbe2c5734.96174493.jpeg?170410)
![](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/user_profile_profile_picture/attachments/644b2f28989389.64542333.png?170410)
Are there roads you don't like to drive on in the Waikato?
Once a year Jeff Penno removes drawing pins from a wall map pinpointing serious and fatal crashes his crews have attended, and starts again.
It’s a poignant reminder that not all our roads are up to the standard of the Waikato Expressway - which is so safe the Waikato road policing manager doesn’t need to deploy his team there regularly.
![Image](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/message_max_size/message_images/6678a78ad3dd36.61607129.png?170410)