Phoenix area cities in most need of mass transit improvements (Tucson: employment, buy)

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

It's in the early stages of being extended to various parts of the metro area. One of the plans is to build a light rail line in the I10 median to the west Valley, but that won't happen for many years (if at all). Light rail along Camelback into downtown Scottsdale would be good to have, but Scottsdale is refusing it, mostly for economic reasons.

Everybody knows economic reasons are just the city's phony excuse to hide the true reason they are against it: to keep the undesirables out.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by nala1908

Asufan logic strikes again.



If you ever expect light rail to get to these exurbs you call home, you will have to get over the fact that busses are required. And the city agrees with my views, we have bought over 120 brand new busses in 2016 alone.

I don't live in the exurbs, I live in Chandler, which pummels Phoenix over and over again in attracting QUALITY employment. I have tens of thousands of quality jobs within 3 miles from my doorstep. And I don't have to deal with hobos and sidewalk sitters out here in the suburbs.

Originally Posted by nala1908

Busses to begin will help people like you get out of the mindset that they can leave and arrive anywhere on a whim. If you check the schedule and/or know when the busses come, you will never have to wait more than a few minutes. Most of the problem you foresee here is the lack of foresight, which is something everyone in this country needs to work on.

For example I can leave my house downtown and be anywhere in Tempe via light rail and bus within 30 minutes. A car would take a minimum of 20 minutes in great traffic. Downtown to Scottsdale is about 30-45 minutes, and with the addition of a bicycle you would reduce that even moreso.

Why in the world would I want to do that? You think people want to live by the rigid bus schedules? Let them dictate when I can go where I want. I'm a car guy, my wife and I have nice cars that we enjoy driving, and I enjoy the freedom and flexibility. I too can be to Tempe in 20 minutes, old town Scottsdale in 30ish minutes and Chandler Fashion Center in less than 10, why in the world would I (or any of my neighbors) want to live by the bus schedule and take longer? People have things to do. There's no starter apartments in my area (more like the $1400-2000+ variety) and the houses in my area are $500K-$850K avg with 3-4 car garages. These people aren't interested in public transit by and large. You would just see a bunch of empty buses driving around these areas and clogging up the traffic. All of this and we would have to pay for it. No thanks.

[cjseliga]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

Everybody knows economic reasons are just the city's phony excuse to hide the true reason they are against it: to keep the undesirables out.

It has been mentioned numerous times before on here, but I guess the undesirables must not know how to take the bus, which already runs to Scottsdale?

[nala1908]

Asufan,

Chandler is the exurbs. Why would you want to not pollute the environment with your car. Pollute the environment laying roads and building sprawling houses. Why would you want to send your money to the middle East to fund the oil cartels.

There are sidewalk sitters and hobos downtown for a reason. They could go to the exurbs, but there's literally nothing there for them. No pedestrians, no businesses to bother. Just houses on houses in what should be desert scenery.

My commute to work is 6 minutes, by bike. My commute to the grocery store is 7 minutes by bike. I live 3 minutes by bike from the light rail. My rent is 1000 a month for 1000 sqft in a condo community, apartments are cheaper, houses are larger and similarly priced.

WHY would I want to drive a car, wait for traffic, live in the exurbs, pollute the earth, all while paying more to live there? Seriously wtf

[asufan]

Originally Posted by nala1908

Asufan,

Chandler is the exurbs. Why would you want to not pollute the environment with your car. Pollute the environment laying roads and building sprawling houses. Why would you want to send your money to the middle East to fund the oil cartels.

There are sidewalk sitters and hobos downtown for a reason. They could go to the exurbs, but there's literally nothing there for them. No pedestrians, no businesses to bother. Just houses on houses in what should be desert scenery.

My commute to work is 6 minutes, by bike. My commute to the grocery store is 7 minutes by bike. I live 3 minutes by bike from the light rail. My rent is 1000 a month for 1000 sqft in a condo community, apartments are cheaper, houses are larger and similarly priced.

WHY would I want to drive a car, wait for traffic, live in the exurbs, pollute the earth, all while paying more to live there? Seriously wtf

Exurbs are defined as being "on the fringe". Think Buckeye, Waddell, San Tan Valley/Florence. I am one city over from the center of activity metro Phoenix which is Tempe, not Phoenix. Phoenix is a weak urban core and has been losing out to cities in the 101 corridor for quite some time, although I would admit the last couple of years they have made great strides.

I am not really worried about the environment. I'm not a sierra club environmentalist wacko. I am not funding the middle East. Stop the nonsense, you won't convince me of this.

My commute is about 20 steps to my home office (I am a small business owner and operate out of my home). My wife commutes to Tempe. My sons school is 3 minutes away by bike and is rated a 10/10.

Contrary to your belief, there are plenty of businesses out here. Chandler Fashion Center, Casa Paloma, Crossroads, Downtown Chandler, etc, etc. Plenty of anything one could want whether its Nordstroms and Macys or Target and everything in between. We have the #1 rated restaurant in AZ. A great upscale outlet mall with a nice selection of stores like Nike, Adidas, Armani, Rawlings, etc, 2 casino's, upscale steakhouses, places to drink like San Tan Brewery, The Perch, Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers, Vintage 95, The Living Room, Irish Republic, Murphy's law and every sports bar imaginable. Not to mention all the local restaurants, chains, local chains supported by the great jobs in the area. Yeah, nothing but houses and vacant land

[ddandano]

This mass transit problem is an easy one to solve. Simply dissolve any and all government funded transit options. Forbid any government involvement in transit and deregulate private transit options. With deregulation the private sector will take care of the services very well.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

Everybody knows economic reasons are just the city's phony excuse to hide the true reason they are against it: to keep the undesirables out.

Well-written.

It's part of Scottsdale's assumption that only poor trashy people ride the light rail. The city would rather have the big-spending trashy people.

The undesirables Scottsdale wishes keep out can still easily get there by bus or other means so it proves the city council is snooty but not too bright.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by ddandano

This mass transit problem is an easy one to solve. Simply dissolve any and all government funded transit options. Forbid any government involvement in transit and deregulate private transit options. With deregulation the private sector will take care of the services very well.

Ridiculous idea.

We all pay taxes to support mass transit as part of the public good just like we pay taxes for schools, police, firefighters, libraries, and many other things you probably use but take for granted.

Converting transit and those other things to the private sector would make the cost of those services out of reach for people who depend on them.

The quality of the services wouldn't always be better either, private prisons turned out to be a major disaster for the state if you care to use that as a good example.

[wit-nit]

2016 System maps for proposed light rail, rapid transit, express rapids, bus routes, park & rides etal...

Providing Public Transportation Alternatives for the Greater Phoenix Metro Area | Valley Metro | System Map

[observer53]

Originally Posted by wit-nit

2016 System maps for proposed light rail, rapid transit, express rapids, bus routes, park & rides etal...

Providing Public Transportation Alternatives for the Greater Phoenix Metro Area | Valley Metro | System Map

That link leads to what looks like the current map.