The responses below seek to answer questions that have made it to the attention of staff. These questions were collected through City Council meetings and written inquiries. If there are additional questions, please do not hesitate to use the form to submit your inquiry. Staff will update this webpage regularly with responses as questions arise. We look forward to hearing from you!
Q:Will this be the first installation of the Whoosh System?
A: Whoosh has been in development by Holmes Solutions for several years. The system utilizes hardware and software developed and successfully in place for the Flying Ox ride in Tennessee. Whoosh is different though from the Flying Ox in that the vehicles are larger and enclosed.
Q: How tall will the poles be?
A: The poles will need a minimum of 18 feet of clearance. After factoring in the height of the car the majority of the line will have poles in the 35 foot range. There are individual cases where the line will rise higher to clear obstacles and then return to the 35 foot range.
Q: How do we know that the Whoosh System is going to be safe for passengers?
A:The system will go through extensive testing before being placed into service. The City will obtain regulatory permits before the system can be placed into service. Safety testing is a requirement included with all regulatory permits. Additionally, the city is working with Emergency Services to have emergency plans for Evacuations and Vehicle removal should the need arise.
Q:What are the ridership capacity claims based on if Swyft Cities has no operating system to validate these numbers?
A: As every transportation system is planned, both the demand and capacity of the systems are modeled. This modeling process is accepted by transportation experts in the industry. Modeling of the Whoosh system is no different than the modeling and analysis that is performed for traditional busses, rail, microtransit, or automated systems.
The models being prepared for this analysis utilize established methods of predicting ridership of any transit system, looking at speed, wait times, access to stations and many other factors. An independent third party development is in process. One that is funded by the City, utilizing an expert in this specialized area. This firm is HDR. The City will publish results as soon as the data is finalized.
Q:How will the Whoosh construction and operations be funded?
A: Funding for the construction and operations of Whoosh are included within the Great Park Framework Plan funds. These funds originate from Great Park residents and cannot be spent outside of approved expenditures for the Great Park. There is no transportation funding used to fund mobility within the Great Park.
Q: How do we contain cost overruns in the contract?
A: There are costs for the implementation in two areas. In terms of construction, the City has a Capital Improvement Program that successfully delivers projects. This team will build the infrastructure needed for this project. The poles, conduits, utilities, and platforms are no different than traffic signal poles, buildings, and other utilities that the City builds.
In terms of operational costs. The City is performing due diligence now related to operational costs. One of the large decisions is related to whether the City self performs the operation or hires a 3rd party vendor for that service. 3rd party vendors are not uncommon. An example is the Irvine Connect Bus service is contracted out to LAZ Inc., thereby relieving the City of hiring & training bus drivers, and support staff.
Q: If the system fails, do we have to pay the entire $9.48M?
A: City Staff and Swyft are working towards mitigating risk for the investment on the Whoosh System for both parties. Performance metrics are being developed for operations of the first operating segment. In order to mitigate risk for both parties the broad parameters for a future agreement are as follows:
- If the first operating segment meets performance metrics, the City will either move forward with Whoosh for the full Great Park system or fund the $9.48M cost of the first operating segment
- If the first operating segment does not meet performance metrics, the City is not obligated to forward with Whoosh beyond the first operating segment nor will the City be obligated to fund the $9.48M investment in the first operating segment