Firstly I think one issue that hasn’t been addressed is safety precautions which will probably add a few extra dollars the to expense compared to a typical ski lift. One drunk launches himself out of his lift and it’s a legal burden on the city.

Also I would assume since it would have to actually stop, unless we implement a tuck and roll procedure, there would be significant delays if it is a simple one/two person seat (Otherwise the lift would stop every two seconds to let someone off and another 2-3 minute wait while the people get all their crap and get off the lift and the next group gets on). So you would have to move to a more Funitel like model http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funitel. This of course makes the awkward having to avoid strangers moments, well, unavoidable and more expensive. And also I am sure there would be added cost for security encase someone has a handful of dirt and a sparkler shows up.

Some interesting options would be to have the city sponsor advertisements in and outside of the lifts, giving some means to pay for the operating expenses. While I am no expert in the cost area, I can assume that it will be a lot cheaper once the infrastructure is in place then a subway system or highway maintenance.

So in review, extremely out of control secondary cost that will inevitably be passed down to taxpayers, potential safety and security flaws, and an opportunity to be locked in for several minutes of the ‘best Boston has to offer’… No way it won’t happen.

Firstly I think one issue that hasn’t been addressed is safety precautions which will probably add a few extra dollars the to expense compared to a typical ski lift. Also I would assume since it would have to actually stop, unless we implement a tuck and roll procedure, that would cause significant delays if it is a simple one/two person seat, so you would have to move to a more Funitel model http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funitel. This of course makes the awkward having to avoid strangers moments, well, unavoidable.