Light Rail In Des Moines? (Cedar Rapids: neighborhoods, living, vs)

[mofford]

Sorry El Rhino, I like to dream about more bike trails, but the funding isn't going to be there. Our bus system has been limping along for years and just started to pay for itself last year with the high gas prices. It doesn't need any competition.

[Northern Traveler]

All I can say is at least we have some people trying for new things around here. It may be over the top but I would rather it be that way then they have their expectations set low I guess.

[Northern Traveler]

Originally Posted by El Rhino

Last night I had a dream I took light rail from West Des Moines to Downtown, thanks guys.

Funny

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by Northern Traveler

All I can say is at least we have some people trying for new things around here. It may be over the top but I would rather it be that way then they have their expectations set low I guess.

Good point.

“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”

- Teddy Roosevelt.

[capitalcityguy]

Originally Posted by mofford

Sorry El Rhino, I like to dream about more bike trails, but the funding isn't going to be there. Our bus system has been limping along for years and just started to pay for itself last year with the high gas prices. It doesn't need any competition.

We've taxed ourselves to death to build infrastrure to support everyone driving their own cars everywhere they go. Now we're stuck with being dependant on the middle east for oil and our cities are sprawling into the countryside.

We have the money, we just need to redirect it.

[bluevelo]

Originally Posted by SharpHawkeye

At the risk of this thread careening further off topic, I'll say that I think a streetcar system is a good idea for Des Moines.

Some reasons:

1. If it's good enough for St. Louis, Minneapolis and Omaha...there's no reason why Des Moines shouldn't look into a light rail system (albeit on a smaller scale, of course).

2. Streetcars worked for Des Moines once, there's no reason why they couldn't again.

3. Gas prices aren't going to stay this low forever and when they do shoot up, people are going to look to mass transit again.

4. It's exactly the kind of exciting, big, creative thinking endemic to progressive, growing cities. The kind of "big dreaming" that some cities in Iowa sorely lack.

Dude.. reality check

I grew up in DSM, and left Iowa in 1987... I've live in Sacramento, where they've had light rail for 20+ years.

Its been a COMPLETE failure here. It hasn't stopped suburban sprawl, or kept the downtown from falling apart. There has been no advantage taken of the area around the LRT stations to develop them with housing and employment.... what has happened is it almost exclusively serves Section 8 housing which is gang-infested. Every other week they're hauling some banger off the train with a gun. Inadequate security, etc.

DSM metro does have not have the density to support mass transit other than offering it as a social service to those who have no other way to get around. Anything more than a basic bus system is a HUGE waste of money.

I've been a professional transportation planner for 20+ years, so I'm know what I'm talking about

[zz4guy]

This thread is rediculous. WHy is it everyone from DesMoines area has a warped view of realtity? They think they are living in some megatropolis that has a demand for all this stuff.

How long does it take to get to work? A typical 25 minute drive? If you take some train it will take longer because you will have to park, wait for the train, get on the train, then when you get to the destination, walk to wherever you're going to.

Trains are fun the first day, but you start to miss your car when you have an errand to run or get sick of waiting for the train in -10 degree weather.

Find another way to waste your money, DSM.

[Stevie]

Originally Posted by zz4guy

If you take some train it will take longer because you will have to park, wait for the train, get on the train, then when you get to the destination, walk to wherever you're going to.

Wow, that must take forever!

It's not really about how long it takes, but the fact that you don't have to rely on your car for everything. What if your car breaks down? You also have to pay for gas.

But I do agree that Des Moines probably isn't ready for something like light rail yet. It should probably just work on making a better bus system or something.

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by zz4guy

This thread is rediculous. WHy is it everyone from DesMoines area has a warped view of realtity? They think they are living in some megatropolis that has a demand for all this stuff.

.

Right, because so many people are saying "Yes, Des Moines needs a light rail system" here.......

[Northern Traveler]

Originally Posted by zz4guy

This thread is rediculous. WHy is it everyone from DesMoines area has a warped view of realtity? They think they are living in some megatropolis that has a demand for all this stuff.

ummm what? you DO realize you say this every post whenever anyone says anything about Des Moines right?

All we have to say is "I like the Des Moines area" and you're like ... WHAT what is wrong with you! you think your in NYC or something?!?!?