Are monorails always a financial flop? Can anyone name any successful monorail system?

Question

While they sound like a great idea, the only two I know of are in Sydney and Las Vegas. In both cases they seem to have failed miserably and they are lamented by the locals. So I'm just curious if there's any successful monorail systems around the world.

Answer 1

Japan has the fastest 410/kmh

Answer 2

There are many successful monorail systems around the world. Check out www.monorails.org and you'll learn all about them. You'll also find that new monorail systems are still being built.

The Las Vegas Monorail has been unsuccessful mostly because of the way it has been planned and managed. Personally, I don't ride it because it's inconveniently located, it doesn't stop anywhere near where I want to go, and it's just too expensive compared to using a taxi.

When the system expands, things may improve.

Answer 3

Financially, most government owned transit based systems, monorail or not, are not geared to become profitable.  The main goal is to provide mass transportation in an efficient (not necessarily profitable) manner.  When this is achieved, you help stimulate that city's economy by providing transportation to people who don't own cars, and lower traffic loads on the streets and highways allowing for either more vehicles to be on the streets or lowering commute times.

Some agencies, seem to forget the EFFICIENT part of that goal also.

Answer 4

Yes.  The ones in Japan and in Europe. Some are mag-lev and use no fossil fuels.  Run on reverse magnetism.  Fast, too. 230MPH with no noise!!! Amazing!!!!!