Tod looked at the map. A projection from an overhead projector, it showed parts of the city, segregated into a 10-by-10 blocks. And where the lines were.

This was his home. There’s a bed on the right side of the room, a small pantry with a fridge, a small table for food, a bin filled with finished takeouts.

Tod focused on the map, again.

It showed a small yellow line from a spot marked in I-3 to J-4, a short track, with three stations in total. He chose that yesterday, and today the line was built.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

1

2

3

Y

Y

4

Y

5

6

7

8

9

10

There was a $ sign on top.

Cash in hand - $40m.

The first 3 stations, costs him $60m, at $20m each, the surface-lines another $90m, at $30m for one box of double standard gauge track. Another $60m for 6 units of grade 1 rolling stock. So, total capital outlay, $210m.

Tod then opened up the menu, and the screen changed. Alright. Things look good.

YELLOW LINE

Sector

Daily Ridership

Fares ($)

Daily Revenue ($)

Annual (300 days)

I-3

5,000

$1

$5,000

$1,500,000

J-3

5,000

$1

$5,000

$1,500,000

J-4

5,000

$1

$5,000

$1,500,000

Total (Daily)

15,000

$15,000

Total (Annual (300 days))

4,500,000

$4,500,000

Operating costs

Employees

Number

Cost per year

Annual Cost

Variable

Station

12

$40,000

$480,000

2 per station

Train

18

$40,000

$720,000

3 per train

Maintenance

12

$40,000

$480,000

2 per train

Other costs

Number

Cost per year

Annual Cost

Variable

Utilities

3

$200,000

$600,000

Stations

Train repair costs

6

$200,000

$1,200,000

Trains

Station upkeep costs

3

$200,000

$600,000

Stations

Total cost per annum

$4,080,000

Net profit

$420,000

Tod smiled. A small profit, but profit nonetheless. Great, now he had to wait. He’ll need another $10m or so to expand the network to another block, and he would have to wait 25 years.

Wait. 25 years? He calculated and punched buttons on the spreadsheet, reconfirming it.

25 years? He couldn’t wait that long just to expand the line by 1 stop!

He needed more money!