A question about the light rail... (Lakewood, Thornton: car rental, rental, live)

[Sheridan1962]

Please pardon my ignorance which will be evident by my question but we have never lived anywhere that was necessary to use public transportation, so this is all new to me.

The light rail that goes into downtown...it only runs from the south side of town. Is that correct? So say we lived south of 470 and east of 25. Douglas County area. Would it be feasible to take the light rail from there? How far out does it go? Do you go to a park and ride lot? How often do the trains run? About how long would it take to get to downtown?

Again, please pardon my ignorance. I looked on the official RTD website, but didn't really find the answers I was looking for.

[tfox]

The end of the line station on the SE line is called "Lincoln," although in fact it's about 1/2 mile north of Lincoln on the west side of I-25. You could drive to the end of the line station, park in the park & Ride, and take light rail. There is also feeder bus service that runs along that you could take as well, if you'd like to leave your car at home.

[FunkyMonk]

Originally Posted by tfox

The end of the line station on the SE line is called "Lincoln," although in fact it's about 1/2 mile north of Lincoln on the west side of I-25. You could drive to the end of the line station, park in the park & Ride, and take light rail. There is also feeder bus service that runs along that you could take as well, if you'd like to leave your car at home.

Don't most people use public transportation because they don't have a car?

[Pilot1]

Originally Posted by FunkyMonk

Don't most people use public transportation because they don't have a car?

No. Most people drive to a station and take light rail to avoid the traffic to downtown during rush hour. That is why the light rail parking areas are always packed.

[2bindenver]

There is also a park n ride on Lincoln near Jordan.

Go to rtd-denver.com click on light rail, click on system maps.

[wanttomoveeast]

Yes and no. When I lived downtown, I took the bus all the time, but my bike was my main form of transportation. Until winter came, lol.

But then I did get a car, mainly for going outside of downtown and for going back home, but I still rode the bus.

Now we have two cars and we both use public transportation. Park and rides out where I live (Thornton) are packed, I mean packed for the most part.

Originally Posted by FunkyMonk

Don't most people use public transportation because they don't have a car?

[Sheridan1962]

Thanks for all the information. We do have vehicles, but my DH's new job is downtown, and we're hoping to be able to use light rail to get him into downtown (to save on gas and parking hassles, and his new employer subsidizes public transportation passes).

[steveindenver]

I ride by the Thorton station sometimes, you are right there are many days that I don't see a single spot vacant.

Eventually additional lines will add capacity east and west, but given the budget problems as of late there are talks now of stalling everything but the psuedo light rail link to DIA -- which if you ask me they should have finished first. I'm guessing that like Atlanta with MARTA the airport car rental agencies and cab drivers may have had a hand in stalling it thus far.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by steveindenver

I ride by the Thorton station sometimes, you are right there are many days that I don't see a single spot vacant.

Eventually additional lines will add capacity east and west, but given the budget problems as of late there are talks now of stalling everything but the psuedo light rail link to DIA -- which if you ask me they should have finished first. I'm guessing that like Atlanta with MARTA the airport car rental agencies and cab drivers may have had a hand in stalling it thus far.

Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) is the preferred technology for the East Corridor which is heavy rail and much better than Light Rail which would not meet the safety requirements along this line.

The West Corridor through Lakewood is the first Line being built because it follows an already abandoned rail line and the Lakewood Gulch and can easily connect to the Southwest Line. It required less land acquisition and negotiations. The West Corridor technology is Light Rail and fits with the pre-exisiting rails. Also, it did not require the completion of the Union Station complex, which required more planning. Other corridors required much planning and negotiation with the railroads and it was smart to begin at the earliest with the easier line to complete.

The East Corridor and the Gold Line Corridor will be built because the Federal monies have been set aside for the Public/Private Partnership. The monies will be lost unless these lines are not built per scheldule. Also, Union Station will be completed before the completion of these lines.

Livecontent

[wanttomoveeast]

Steve: Well, I moved over to the Thornton Park-n-Ride because Wagon Road has become a zoo. People speeding through lanes desperately looking for a spot. Illegally parking just because they feel they have to. And the buses -- oh gawd don't get me started. I too heard word of the RTD plans being stalled. Bummer. I also heard a rumor that they were thinking of offering a few assigned spaces for minimal cost.

Live: Thanks for the info on the corridors. I wonder though if me and Steve are pretty selfish in more wanting to know about the northern corridor, although I think that one's not even going to begin for several years.