RTD to postpone completion of rail to Boulder and Longmont indefinitely. (Denver: home, to live)

[KaaBoom]

I'm sure the RTD apologists in the forum will want to defend RTD for another broken promise. I can hear them already, Longmont doesn't need commuter rail, even though they are paying for it, and were promised it.

RTD proposal: Build rail to Church Ranch, postpone completion to Boulder, Longmont
By John Aguilar Camera Staff Writer
Posted: 03/05/2012 06:12:41 PM MST
Updated: 03/05/2012 09:43:40 PM MST

DENVER -- A recommendation by the Regional Transportation District to build the Northwest Rail to Westminster by 2022 -- but with no date identified to get the train all the way to Boulder and Longmont -- prompted some angry reactions from Boulder County officials at an RTD meeting Monday night.

Longmont Mayor Pro Tem Gabe Santos said RTD's newest option, presented Monday at RTD headquarters in Denver, doesn't guarantee that commuter rail will ever make it to his city.

"We're seeing broken promises and a broken contract over that 2004 vote," Santos said. "There's distrust building in our community and on our council regarding RTD."

RTD proposal: Build rail to Church Ranch, postpone completion to Boulder, Longmont - Longmont Times-Call

[Snikt]

The transcontinental railroad was built in 6 years, with 1860s equipment. Almost 1,800 miles

[tfox]

This isn't a surprise. It's been clear for a long time (years) that there never was going to be rail to Boulder, much less Longmont.

I'm not defending RTD, but the RTD NW rail proposal really made no sense to Boulder County residents -- it didn't really even go to Boulder proper, just to a new location at 33rd & Pearl. Longmont residents would have done okay taking the train to Boulder, but it made no provision to get Longmont riders to Metro Denver. Poor planning on RTD's part.

Boulder County is getting the Bus Rapid Transit to improve regional bus service on that route, and with that improved it seemed unlikely anyone would ever take the train unless they happened to live close to one of the stations.

I agree, though, that Longmont residents got a raw deal out of this. At the very least, they would have had rail service to Boulder, which would be nice given the horrid traffic on the Diagonal.

[AceShopper]

By "BRT" - Do they mean dedicated lanes built along US-36 for buses only ? Or just additional HOV lanes that will be shared by cars as well ? Also, will the BRT stops (stations) be right on these new HOV/dedicated lanes so that the bus can stop without taking an exit ?

If the BRT is going to be anything like this : Streetfilms | Bus Rapid Transit: Bogotá I would say who needs a rail line ? This is almost like a rail line on wheels - minus the tracks !!

Now the cost to ride the BRT will be another matter - Hope they don't price is such that no one wants to ride it !!
Wishful thinking but hopefully they take inspiration from this : http://www.flexnoco.com/rider-info#fares

[hammertime33]

Originally Posted by Snikt

The transcontinental railroad was built in 6 years, with 1860s equipment. Almost 1,800 miles

Where's Chinese slave labor when you need it?

[BarryK123]

Originally Posted by Snikt

The transcontinental railroad was built in 6 years, with 1860s equipment. Almost 1,800 miles

That was before unions.

[Snikt]

Originally Posted by hammertime33

Where's Chinese slave labor when you need it?

At least we got things done back then

Now it takes 20 years and millions of dollars to extend a light rail line like 10 miles

[Snikt]

Originally Posted by BarryK123

That was before unions.

Doesn't anyone ever think then, man we really used to get stuff done but now we really don't. Maybe we should actually change things, or people prolly just don't care

It's the same with everything it seems, roads, dams, etc..

[AceShopper]

Originally Posted by Snikt

Doesn't anyone ever think then, man we really used to get stuff done but now we really don't.

It's called job security - The longer I take to do the same task, the more time I can keep my job :-)

To keep the post on topic: How many people would *really* use the BRT or the rail once it's built ? I mean, if you are a car owner who commutes today between Denver-Boulder - would you keep your car at home and hop on public transportation once this is built ? If not, why not ?

[Snikt]

Originally Posted by AceShopper

It's called job security - The longer I take to do the same task, the more time I can keep my job :-)

To keep the post on topic: How many people would *really* use the BRT or the rail once it's built ? I mean, if you are a car owner who commutes today between Denver-Boulder - would you keep your car at home and hop on public transportation once this is built ? If not, why not ?

I wouldn't, just don't really like buses and I know a lot of people feel the same way. Drive myself or rail are my 2 options