Question for those against commuter rails (Atlanta, Dunwoody: apartments, credit, loans)

[PeteyNice]

Why would there be a coup? I would think the people who live in Fulton and Dekalb (i.e. the only people that the King of Atlanta has control over) would like that idea. Now there might be war with the namby pamby King of the Suburbs but I think the suburbs would eventually lose. A similar plan worked very well for the King of Manhattan. In fact the current King of Manhattan wants to make it even more costly to drive in his kingdom.

[Galounger]

Originally Posted by PeteyNice

Why would there be a coup? I would think the people who live in Fulton and Dekalb (i.e. the only people that the King of Atlanta has control over) would like that idea. Now there might be war with the namby pamby King of the Suburbs but I think the suburbs would eventually lose. A similar plan worked very well for the King of Manhattan. In fact the current King of Manhattan wants to make it even more costly to drive in his kingdom.

The king of London has made it very expensive to ride into central London (you're required to buy costly passes to park anywhere there) assuring that most take the subway (or tube as subjects in that kingdom call it) However, many here would rather dump tea in Chattahooce than subscribe to that kind of redcoat europeean none sense.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Merin

What are your ideas to help ease traffic congestion?

I'm not against commuter rail at all, but I think the Atlanta metro could really benefit from a better system of bike-friendly roads and/or trails.

[Merin]

I live in the City of Atlanta now because its convenient. It there was a commuter rail. I would happily buy a 450k house in county with lower taxes.

[clsmith15]

Originally Posted by sweettea1

I'd like to see those little Jetsons flying cars. But I'm not against commuter rails, I'd just still like to see those little cars.

Oh lord, we enough wrecks with people driving on the ground lol.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

I'm not against commuter rail at all, but I think the Atlanta metro could really benefit from a better system of bike-friendly roads and/or trails.

For this to work we need bike friendly drivers AND bicyclists who will obey the rules of the road. We seem to be in short supply of both.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by JPD

For this to work we need bike friendly drivers AND bicyclists who will obey the rules of the road. We seem to be in short supply of both.

Many roads in the Minneapolis area had bike trails which ran in parallel with the roadways. No interaction between the two at all. It was very nice. :-)

This might give you an idea of what *could* be done (it's been done in other metros):

2007 Hennepin County BICYCLE Route Maps

[JPD]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Many roads in the Minneapolis area had bike trails which ran in parallel with the roadways. No interaction between the two at all. It was very nice. :-)

There are several areas in Atlanta where the PATH runs alongside the main road (I'm thinking specifically of the area through Decatur near the old train depot all the way to Stone Mountain Village). I can't count the times I've seen cyclists use the roadway instead of the PATH. Despite the presence of potholes and metal plates, bicyclists insist on using the street instead of their smoothly paved PATH.

Then they blast through red lights and stop signs all the while proudly displaying their "Same Road Same Rules" stickers. And they wonder why motorists have little tolerance for cyclists.

I hate to see this because I spend a lot of time on my bicycle in the fall and spring, and the actions of "serious" cyclists make it more difficult and dangerous for recreational cyclists like myself.

[backfist]

It seems that most transplanted Atlantans--especially from large metro areas--actually seek out mass transit for getting around. Many native Atlantans seem to find every reason possible to avoid mass transit.

Voters won't support mandatory toll costs? Of course not. Those "voters" are the same commuters who are wed to their cars, and who will gladly pay $5/gallon for gas if it means not having to use public transit.

It's the "voters" who are causing these very traffic problems. Yet they refuse to be part of the solution.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by backfist

It seems that most transplanted Atlantans--especially from large metro areas--actually seek out mass transit for getting around. Many native Atlantans seem to find every reason possible to avoid mass transit. It's the "voters" who are causing these very traffic problems. Yet they refuse to be part of the solution.

I think you'll find among natives down here a very strong "me mentality". Meaning, their thoughts regarding controversial subjects are, "If it doesn't specifically benefit ME, then I'm not going to vote for it!". So, rather than think of the region as a whole and how certain transit issues could help at least reduce some of the traffic, they still vote no because they personally would not benefit from it.

Sorry - I know that sounds a bit like *picking on the south* stuff, but I'm sitting in a room full of coworkers and most of them are from here. When I said what I was writing they're all shaking their heads going, "Yep - that's it!".