Kalistani Major History

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President Ananto makes pitch for Maglev in Ananto
Long stalled rail project on Island still remains uncertain
Kaliburg Ananto
January 26, 5457


President of the Republic Ananto calls lack of maglev infrastructure on Ananto a "travesty"

President of the Republic Nicolette Ananto emerged from high level meetings with Ananto's investment community with a proposal to complete the Ananto Branch of the national MagLev system completed on the mainland over 100 years ago. "For too long, Ananto citizens have been using old infrastructure," said President Ananto. "It's time this Nation invest in the people of this Island, It's time we build the Ananto Maglev line. Rge fact that there is no magnetic levitation high speed trains in Ananto should be seen by all of us for what it is: a complete travesty."

The President outlined the stumbling blocks for building an island wide system in Ananto. "The advantages that the Mainland had, we do not possess on Ananto," she said. "Nearly all the miles in Suldanor and Odufaray, for example, were built on flat stable land. Vrassa's line served as a bit of a challenge, but certainly not one that was fully insurmountable. And that railroad created a virtuous cycle of use which funded expansion to Vrassa City, into Neveras, and to all major cities and towns on the Mainland. Yet, here on Ananto, we face volcanic soil, extremely difficult terrain and geology, swamps, and vast expanses of areas which are only lightly populated, and therefore wouldn't be entirely cost effective."

But, the President says, the cost shouldn't be the primary driving factor. "I want to make clear that this is not about cost," said Ananto. "Cost is what has prevented us from moving forward. But from now on, we need to look at the benefit side of the equation. The standard of living of the people of Ananto could be dramatically improved with the availability of access to high speed transportation. It would cut travel time from Eveari down a full two hours, from Dulnerstaad down by an hour and three quarters, from Bozo down 6 hours, and from Luxon, down by seven hours. This would allow people to commute for work into Kaliburg from further out, and would spur local economies through tourism and direct, clean and efficient links to major transportation hubs in The City."

The Investment community, for their part, reported that they were cautiously optimistic that the Ananto MagLev project could theoretically get off the ground in the coming years. "With the support of the President, we believe we could improve the capital forecast for the MagLev rather quickly, " said Marian Smythe, speaker for a local capital group called AnantoTech. "It would obviously take several rounds of investing to raise enough capital to commit to a project like this. The Republican National bank may also see it within their purview to lend us money for start up capital as well. But The President is correct: We do face a number of challenges, which will make this one of the more expensive public works projects this country has ever undertook and benefits aside, it is those costs which have so far prevented this project from even getting off the ground." While Odfaray's rail line alone cost the company building it most than 160 Billion in initial outlays, it is expected that Ananto's project will surpass the 250 billion mark, just to get started, and without significant investment, this project is not possible.

The President called for an increased public push for the MagLev in Ananto. "Budgetting is about priorities. We show our priorities by what we fund. Let's make the MagLev in Ananto a priority. I know that the Districts like to cut taxes, but even a contribution of 300 Rubles from each man, woman and child, might be enough to get this project started. And we will do all we can to help move this project forward."

Whether the President's efforts are successful remains to be seen.