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But why make that distinction based on the technology? In Seattle you will have a system that when built out will have 112 miles that will be almost entirely grade-separated - either underground or elevated - and has large stations that resemble metro stations more than a typical light rail stop. It already has significantly higher ridership than Cleveland or Baltimore currently and when built out is anticipated to carry over 600k riders a day. 4 car trains running every 3-5 minutes have the type of capacity that is closer to matching heavy rail than typical light rail. Take a look at the videos and tell me those don't seem like a subway.
Ive actually been to Seattle and I've used their light rail. Maybe some of those stations look more like subway stations than typical light rail, but it's definitely still a light rail. The technological difference between heavy rail and light rail is pretty significant IMO. I don't think those videos you've showed look like a subway because those trains are noticeably way slower than an actual subway.
This was just my interpretation of what OP meant, and it makes sense if you look at the list of cities OP provided since Seattle isn't on the list.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Western Urbanite
LA does not belong below Atlanta.
Since I was ranking heavy rail, I definitely think it can, although the difference isn't that large and they probably could be switched from my rankings. It doesn't even really matter after a certain point. We really need better transit in The US
Edit: OP confirmed the topic is on heavy rail, so yeah. I guess I would rank Atlanta above LA
I think Seattle is maybe the only city actually trying to make effective use of light rail right now as opposed to just doing it for the sake of cost. I honestly wish other cities were following their lead and coming up with costed out 40 year plans to build metro wide light rail systems rather than tossing a few lines on major arteries and calling it "mass transit".
I think Seattle is maybe the only city actually trying to make effective use of light rail right now as opposed to just doing it for the sake of cost. I honestly wish other cities were following their lead and coming up with costed out 40 year plans to build metro wide light rail systems rather than tossing a few lines on major arteries and calling it "mass transit".
They just passed a $54 billion dollar measure to build a second subway tunnel through downtown and some inner neighborhoods (along with several other expansions) - so clearly they're willing to spend the money. I do wish they went with heavy rail, though, when the system was first conceived - it feels like they might as well have since their cost of building is more in line with typical heavy rail costs.
Ive actually been to Seattle and I've used their light rail. Maybe some of those stations look more like subway stations than typical light rail, but it's definitely still a light rail. The technological difference between heavy rail and light rail is pretty significant IMO. I don't think those videos you've showed look like a subway because those trains are noticeably way slower than an actual subway.
Many segments are not slow at all - for example, the ride from Capitol Hill to UW takes 4 minutes with a speed of 55 mph. That drive takes about 15 minutes without traffic and up to an hour with traffic.
Yeah and those trips will take you at least 80-90 minutes with multiple transfers on Metro Rail. A trip on BART with equivalent distances would take 35-55 minutes with a one-seat ride/no transfers. I would not call LA's system "fast" at all. There are way too many at-grade crossings and even areas where cars have signal priority over trains. It's kind of ridiculous you have trains traveling at street level with at-grade crossings in the downtown area of the nation's second largest city. LA really needs more grade-separation with its rail system to make it truly "world class".
LA's subway system is not at street level.
And it also has more riders per mile than BART.
Pretty sad that a system as large, extensive, and old as BART has fewer riders per mile than LA.
But then again, BART is not a real subway. Just an over glorified commuter rail.
Pretty sad that a system as large, extensive, and old as BART has fewer riders per mile than LA.
But then again, BART is not a real subway. Just an over glorified commuter rail.
Its light rail lines mostly are and those make up the vast majority of the system.
Given the differences in operating environments it should have more riders per mile. LA Metro rail generally doesn't cross large areas with no development or a huge bay.
Most people are well aware BART is not an urban subway system but at least it's not sitting at traffic lights waiting for cars to pass through. But that's LA for you...car is king.
I find it a bit mind boggling that some ranked Philly low as they did earlier in the post. I don't know if they just see that its just has two subway lines or some sort. Last i checked , the trolleys have their own subway and shares a joint tunnel with the Market-Frankford Line, and the Broad St Line is underneath the MFL and also has a Spur Train to 8th-Market that meets the MFL. All three of these lines run very frequently and carry over 350k combined with the MFL being the highest. Who ever put the newer cities ahead of Philly obviously have no idea.
That will certainly change once the Westside subway opens in 2024!
LA's system as a whole will be better than Atlanta's, but I don't think LA's heavy rail ridership is going to pass Atlanta's heavy rail ridership until the Purple Line extension gets to at least Westwood. Perhaps if LA won the Olympic bid, then funding sources would be found to accelerate that process.
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