When the light rail is built...would you use it? (university, live)

[Gerhardt]

No mass transit system works well unless it is COMPREHENSIVE, extending on all major arteries in an entire metropolitan system. Half-assed single lines from which one exits often stranded or needing a ride make no sense.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by Gerhardt

No mass transit system works well unless it is COMPREHENSIVE, extending on all major arteries in an entire metropolitan system. Half-assed single lines from which one exits often stranded or needing a ride make no sense.

You are not going to ever get a light rail on ALL major arteriers - not feasible

What you can get however is a combination of rail and "normal" bus service that works together to get people where they want to go - and that is what is envisioned with regard to the Phx light rail

Go to San Diego sometime - use their system - works great - rail and bus

[nitram]

Drivers here are too independent and married to their vehicles. They would rather sit in traffic for hours listening to their favorite radio station, DVD, talk show and/or yaking on their phone or text messaging before they would sit with a bunch of strangers on a rail where they have to walk 1/2 mile or more when they get off to get to where they are going.
Until it is so cost prohibitive to drive, the majority of the people will never use the rail system(s).

[HX_Guy]

If the light rail were anywhere near where I live, I would definitely use it. I would actually love to use it. You can listen to the radio, talk show, and definitely text message...something you shouldn't do while driving anyway, while sitting as a passanger...not to mention you can also read the paper or a magazine, which you can't while driving.

I've said it before, but whenever I visit another city and can use their public transit...I actually can't wait. I went to San Francisco and the whole time used only buses, trolleys, and heavy rail. It's so much more relaxing then sitting in traffic and you can actually look around at your surroundings and enjoy everything. To me, I actually feel more "alive" to walk on the street, hop on a trolley, around other people...get off at the next stop...CITY LIFE.

[miamiman]

I am definitely NOT going to use it. The light rail doesn't go anywhere I need to go. Plus this is the West. Who uses public transportation??

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by nitram

Drivers here are too independent and married to their vehicles. They would rather sit in traffic for hours listening to their favorite radio station, DVD, talk show and/or yaking on their phone or text messaging before they would sit with a bunch of strangers on a rail where they have to walk 1/2 mile or more when they get off to get to where they are going.
Until it is so cost prohibitive to drive, the majority of the people will never use the rail system(s).

Unfortunately, I think you're right. However, I personally am fed up with sitting in rush hour traffic, stopping and crawling, wearing out my car, getting behind inattentive slowpokes who talk on their phones, deal with their kids, or don't move on green lights.

If the rail routes were more convenient for me, I would definitely use them. As it stands now, it seems that many people who will use light rail will have to drive somewhere and park ... which means they won't completely avoid having to sit in traffic.

[zenkonami]

I can't figure why on earth we need a light rail on Apache Blvd, a slimy street with cheap motels and trailer parks.

Gotta side with vegas on this point.

This is one of the dangers of Phoenix's light rail. When transit projects fail, it's because they fail to follow the natural density, instead trying to forge their own. Property values rise rapidly in low value areas producing a cycle of sale and resale at the expense of those homes and businesses already in the area. Eventually, the area may stabilize and begin to grow, but in what kind of time frame? 20 years? 30 years? How much will the needs of the population have changed in that time? Dense corridors remain dense.

I think this is much of the problem with Phoenix's system. Look people, I don't fault Phoenix for trying. In fact, I applaud them for it. I've ridden those busses many times, and man is this a sock in the face to all those anti-transit types (who clearly never had to take a bus anywhere) who lectured us that "light rail is an expensive boondoggle" and "why don't you just take the bus?"

The problem is that Phoenix tends to plan it's projects independent of one another. The cities are fiercely independent, the homeowners are fiercely independent, and most contractors don't care what anyone says...they have access and rights to this parcel and they're gonna make bank off of it anyway they see fit! Has Phoenix / Tempe / Mesa rezoned those low density areas where light rail is headed? Do they plan to, or will they wait till after it's all in place and then "see what happens" (by which time some other party in power yanks the plug.) This is not a city (or a metro area in general) that is known for good, overall planning.

Co-ordination is key, and maybe I don't have all the facts, but I've never known Phoenix to co-ordinate it's projects before, and I have trouble believing they've got all their ducks in a row on this one. I truly hope I'm wrong. I hope the whole thing flourishes, but I spent nearly a decade and half in that town, several of those years trying to contribute to things like light rail and community participation, only to see things fall apart so many times because of a lack of co-ordinated planning.

In ten years, someone please say, "I told you so." And mean it.

[Huckleberry3911948]

not there but we got it here. fact is the streets got mean. cars are a protection to people.
since self defense has been criminalized avoidance is the only option. alternative fuels is the prayer of the people.

[zenkonami]

Originally Posted by aj661

The freeways are used by the vast majority of the citizenry so most everyone gets something in return for their tax dollars. Not so with the train, which will only be used by a few. Freeways are outrageously expensive, but considering the costs per user-mile, there's no comparison. Freeways are a much better value than a short train line. (The money could go even further. Drivers should be devoting their full attention to the road and traffic, not looking at decorative rock, painted sound barriers and concrete lizards.)

I really hope it works better than I think it will. But after 45 years of watching nearly empty buses crawling around the valley, I'm not holding my breath.

First, please excuse the tone of my response if (as happens with posts as opposed to conversation) it come off strongly rather than simply another opinion.

The freeways are used by the vast majority of the citizenry because there is no other choice. In larger, denser cities, public transit is more effective at moving larger numbers of people faster than freeways. As far as costs per user-mile, does that take into account maintenance costs? (higher on freeways.) Does that analysis include the cost in lives from accidents, lost time, fuel / maintenance / insurance costs per occupant and carbon footprint? What about the benefits of a pedestrian oriented transit system that can drive a strong core of commerce, participation and engagement? How much difference is there between a freeway connecting the airport to a convention center and light rail doing the same? Business? Tourism?

You're right. A small light rail starter line is not going to affect the majority of Phoenicians, but if it works, it could drive a much larger and more effective transit system that could reduce some road congestion and stress, increase civic engagement, and allow people to keep more of their money in their pockets. One way or another, taxes are paid for transportation, whether highway or rail...but insurance, car payments, repairs, fuel...all add up.

Plenty of people will of course continue to use the highways, and plenty of them will be disinterested in public transit...but some of that just might grab it once a year to see the D-Backs, or take out of town guests to the George & Dragon, or catch a ride to the airport (cheaper than $12+ a day daily parking.) Like libraries, convention centers, museums, sidewalks, parks and emergency services, public transit could be used by anyone.

[w1ngzer0]

simple answer from me is, yes i would use it, if i lived close enough to it.