could BRT work in South Florida? (Miami, Naples: crime, neighborhoods, subsidized)

[Wild Style]

Check this out

link

[illini84]

I think it could work if people were persistent enough to push the issue and taxpayers were willing to accept an increase for this service, but neither of those things would likely happen in Miami. I recently had to go to 10 neighborhood meetings for my job and in each neighborhood, many people were adamant that they didn't want public transportation in their neighborhood, nor would they ever consider using it. I just can't follow this logic since traffic is so terrible in Miami. A great Metrorail system (like DC, Chicago, or San Francisco) would do wonders for Miami, but people just won't support it. They'd rather drive their gas guzzling H3 Hummer through hours of traffic each day for some reason...

[compelled to reply]

I would love to see them building something like that in that obnoxiously large median on I-75 and build something parallel to the Palmetto/Dolphin. Like an Express bus from the commuter hotspot exits like Griffin Rd and Pines Blvd so it could actually move faster than the Palmetto (it said the avg. speed was 25 mph maximum, which is about the same as doing 15 on the Palmetto and 75-80 on 75 every morning). But yeah, what illini was saying...

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by illini84

I think it could work if people were persistent enough to push the issue and taxpayers were willing to accept an increase for this service, but neither of those things would likely happen in Miami. I recently had to go to 10 neighborhood meetings for my job and in each neighborhood, many people were adamant that they didn't want public transportation in their neighborhood, nor would they ever consider using it. I just can't follow this logic since traffic is so terrible in Miami. A great Metrorail system (like DC, Chicago, or San Francisco) would do wonders for Miami, but people just won't support it. They'd rather drive their gas guzzling H3 Hummer through hours of traffic each day for some reason...

as gas prices continue to climb, we will see how long that will last.

[rogerbacon]

Originally Posted by illini84

I think it could work if people were persistent enough to push the issue and taxpayers were willing to accept an increase for this service, but neither of those things would likely happen in Miami. I recently had to go to 10 neighborhood meetings for my job and in each neighborhood, many people were adamant that they didn't want public transportation in their neighborhood, nor would they ever consider using it. I just can't follow this logic since traffic is so terrible in Miami. A great Metrorail system (like DC, Chicago, or San Francisco) would do wonders for Miami, but people just won't support it. They'd rather drive their gas guzzling H3 Hummer through hours of traffic each day for some reason...

It is easy to understand why people don't want buses going into their residential neighborhoods. They don't want smelly, loud buses hogging up the streets. When you get stuck behind one of those on a one lane residential road there is no way to pass it if there is traffic coming in the other direction. Also, many people believe that mass transit allow for an increase in crime by making their neighborhood accessible to criminal elements.
Buses shouldn't go into residential neighborhoods. At most then should connect shopping areas and business areas. Also, they should not be subsidized in any way by tax dollars. If they can be run efficiently enough then people will use them. Gas tax money should be spent on projects that will benefit all of the people paying the tax, such as more roads. The traffic has doubled since 1980 but the number of major roads remains unchanged. Back in the 1980's I don't ever remember anyone complaining about traffic. Now it is the number one complaint.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by rogerbacon

It is easy to understand why people don't want buses going into their residential neighborhoods. They don't want smelly, loud buses hogging up the streets. When you get stuck behind one of those on a one lane residential road there is no way to pass it if there is traffic coming in the other direction. Also, many people believe that mass transit allow for an increase in crime by making their neighborhood accessible to criminal elements.
Buses shouldn't go into residential neighborhoods. At most then should connect shopping areas and business areas. Also, they should not be subsidized in any way by tax dollars. If they can be run efficiently enough then people will use them. Gas tax money should be spent on projects that will benefit all of the people paying the tax, such as more roads. The traffic has doubled since 1980 but the number of major roads remains unchanged. Back in the 1980's I don't ever remember anyone complaining about traffic. Now it is the number one complaint.

then roads shouldn't be subsidized either!

Also did you look at that video I posted? These things are "green" and more efficient than a smelly four passenger car could ever be and more efficient too. Also they have their own lanes.

[doggiebus]

I would love this, but because of our weather, I think I probably wouldn't use it enough. I will not wait or bike to a bus station from May through November, its just too hot/humid/rainy. The last few months have been almost as warm as summer, so I probably wouldn't of used it. I would use it on days that it was sunny and cool, but we haven't had many of those days. For many people the weather will probably be the biggest draw back.

[Wild Style]

doggie,

they would definitely have to make A/C bus stations. maybe have parking garages at ever bus terminal so you can just park and catch the bus?

[rogerbacon]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

then roads shouldn't be subsidized either!

How are roads subsidized? They are paid for with taxes on gasoline. Presumably if you are using gasoline then you are using roads.

Also did you look at that video I posted? These things are "green" and more efficient than a smelly four passenger car could ever be and more efficient too.

No, I didn't look at the video because it's blocked from work but I read the article.

Also they have their own lanes.

Translation: that's one lane that the rest of us can't use so it will make traffic worse.

Sorry but mass transit and Miami don't mix and no matter how people try and force that square peg into that round hole it will never work. The geography and demographics make it impossible.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by rogerbacon

The geography and demographics make it impossible.

Did you watch that video? What do the demographics and geography have to do with it? The video was in Bogota and their geography is a lot more challenging than flat, comparatively less crowded Miami. Yeah, I mean demographics would come into play if it was Naples (FL).