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How are any of the cities besides LA and Denver getting votes? These 2 cities clearly have the biggest and best expansions going forward. City bias is rampant in this thread because the other cities' expansions (while nice) are not on the same level!
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While I agree that Denver and especially Los Angeles are leagues ahead of the other cities, I do think Dallas has a fair argument, as does Seattle.
How can u agree on one hand that Denver and LA are far ahead, and than make a case for a different city when the thread is titled "Best Mass transit/rail development expansion"?
How can u agree on one hand that Denver and LA are far ahead, and than make a case for a different city when the thread is titled "Best Mass transit/rail development expansion"?
Because honestly I don't think Denver is in the same class as Los Angeles either. Personally I think it is a toss-up between Denver and Seattle for 2nd and that Dallas might have an argument to be in the running for #2.
Denver might have more expansions or longer expansions than Seattle, but it seems to me Seattle is building a higher quality product (i.e. lines that go through the city itself, not just to suburbs and through downtown).
I think the other question is how much of the expansion plans are actually funded? Some "plans" are pie-in-the-sky, while others have already been funded through guaranteed streams of revenue (i.e. Sales Tax, bonds, or other revenues). I know L.A. has Measure R sales tax funds, not sure about the other cities.
How can u agree on one hand that Denver and LA are far ahead, and than make a case for a different city when the thread is titled "Best Mass transit/rail development expansion"?
I think this is why some may at least prefer Seattle's expansion to Denver:
"However, I think Seattle deserves some credit as, aside from LA, it is the only City listed that is building it's system almost entirely underground or grade-separated. Seattle's "light rail" will essentially function like a subway system, with stations located in neighborhood centers. If the Ballard line, currently being studied, gets approved, Seattle will be the easy #2 on this list.
Denver's system is too park-n-ride based and doesn't feel like a classic Metro system in the way that Seattle's will.
...The point here is that in Seattle they are focusing on putting stations underground in the middle of urban centers. There is still a lot of work to do to approve more coverage across the City, but it is a model that will ultimately lead to greater sustainability, higher ridership, and more urban development. In Dallas and Denver too many of the stations are geared solely towards commuters, with too much parking."
I think this is why some may at least prefer Seattle's expansion to Denver:
"However, I think Seattle deserves some credit as, aside from LA, it is the only City listed that is building it's system almost entirely underground or grade-separated. Seattle's "light rail" will essentially function like a subway system, with stations located in neighborhood centers. If the Ballard line, currently being studied, gets approved, Seattle will be the easy #2 on this list.
Denver's system is too park-n-ride based and doesn't feel like a classic Metro system in the way that Seattle's will.
...The point here is that in Seattle they are focusing on putting stations underground in the middle of urban centers. There is still a lot of work to do to approve more coverage across the City, but it is a model that will ultimately lead to greater sustainability, higher ridership, and more urban development. In Dallas and Denver too many of the stations are geared solely towards commuters, with too much parking."
This. The Seattle system looks really cool, too bad it seems like it will take quite some time to get completed through the University District. The grade-separated LRT system is perfect for Seattle - the city is dense enough to support the investment in an LRT subway but not too dense that it will overcrowd the LRT ala Boston or Los Angeles.
How are cities like Dallas paying for rail? People are so proud of the "low, low taxes" in Texas it just makes me curious how this is getting funded there, considering most metros like Denver, Seattle, LA, the Twin Cities, etc. are all funding these projects through current and increased taxes (like transporation/gas taxes).
I think this is why some may at least prefer Seattle's expansion to Denver:
"However, I think Seattle deserves some credit as, aside from LA, it is the only City listed that is building it's system almost entirely underground or grade-separated. Seattle's "light rail" will essentially function like a subway system, with stations located in neighborhood centers. If the Ballard line, currently being studied, gets approved, Seattle will be the easy #2 on this list.
Denver's system is too park-n-ride based and doesn't feel like a classic Metro system in the way that Seattle's will.
...The point here is that in Seattle they are focusing on putting stations underground in the middle of urban centers. There is still a lot of work to do to approve more coverage across the City, but it is a model that will ultimately lead to greater sustainability, higher ridership, and more urban development. In Dallas and Denver too many of the stations are geared solely towards commuters, with too much parking."
How is that a problem? That allows for more people to be reached. And who's to say that Seattle's expansion should be the model? Rail systems are according to what a specific city needs. What Denver needs is a Park-n-ride bases light rail.
I think that Seattle and Denver are easily tied for 2nd place now that i've done more research on Seattle expansion plans. I don't think a an underground light rail is enough to put it ahead however. Of course, I can see how someone would prefer Seattle's over Denver's, and vice versa.
This. The Seattle system looks really cool, too bad it seems like it will take quite some time to get completed through the University District. The grade-separated LRT system is perfect for Seattle - the city is dense enough to support the investment in an LRT subway but not too dense that it will overcrowd the LRT ala Boston or Los Angeles.
Yeah, I love that in Seattle, stations are going underground on these corners (and others):
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mezter
How is that a problem? That allows for more people to be reached. And who's to say that Seattle's expansion should be the model? Rail systems are according to what a specific city needs. What Denver needs is a Park-n-ride bases light rail.
I think that Seattle and Denver are easily tied for 2nd place now that i've done more research on Seattle expansion plans. I don't think a an underground light rail is enough to put it ahead however. Of course, I can see how someone would prefer Seattle's over Denver's, and vice versa.
Denver needs more urban stations and inner city lines. The metro suburbs will be very well connected to downtown but rail to points within Denver city limits are lacking. That is where Seattle's system has a leg up on Denver. In Denver a line down Colfax, another one down Broadway, and perhaps even a third one down Speer & Colorado Blvd going into Cherry Creek would suffice. At the very least an urban streetcar.
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 03-12-2013 at 05:31 PM..
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