A New Kind Of Monorail?

A New Kind Of Monorail?

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Story Published: Apr 1, 2004 at 8:47 AM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:27 AM PDT

By Terry Travis

SEATTLE - As Seattle moves closer to building its new monorail, other cities across the country are considering similar systems.

In Minneapolis, the proposed line could set a new standard for travel. Minneapolis City Councilman Dean Zimmerman is pushing something called "personal rapid transit." It's a high tech proposal "which is a fixed-rail system that supports small, what we call, skycabs."

Zimmerman says the cabs would seat three to six people, zipping them directly to their station. The entire system would be run by a computer.

But Zimmerman says the best part is it costs less than traditional buses and light rail.

"We're actually looking at a system here that will never require an operating subsidy," he says.

Would this work in Seattle? The Minnesota developer of the technology says yes, they've even talked with some people from our area about it.

Fore More Information:

www.skywebexpress.com www.gettherefast.org

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