Seattle's monorail has had its fair share of problems:
In 2004, a fire from a mechanical failure sent eight people to the hospital because of smoke inhalation. Last fall, two trains collided, an avoidable embarrassment that, luckily, injured no one seriously but shut down the monorail for nine months. And just last month, right after the monorail was returned to service, two breakdowns occurred, the second of which left about 200 passengers suspended for as much as 40 minutes without a clue as to why.
It was supposed to usher in an era of monorail-building in cities across the country. Obviously, that didn't happen. Now the monorail, which first opened in 1962 is sitting, unused, while the Seattle city council votes whether to fund $4.5 million in needed improvements.
The monorail seems quaint and outdated, but the fact is that 2 million people a year ride it when it's functioning. $4.5 million seems like a pretty good price for that kind of return.
Zach Patton -- Executive Editor. Zach has written about a range of topics, including social policy issues and urban planning and design. Originally from Tennessee, he joined GOVERNING as a staff writer in 2004. He received the 2011 Jesse H. Neal Award for Outstanding Journalism
E-mail: zpatton@governing.com 
Written and compiled by staff writers and editors, GOVERNING View is an on-the-ground, and sometimes behind-the-scenes, look at the topics we're covering in print and online. From notes on what's up in statehouses, county courthouses and city halls, to encounters with people, places and things, GOVERNING View is a window into the side of state and local government you don't always see.
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