Light rail ridership exceeds expectation (Phoenix, Glendale: houses, transfer to, living in)

[nickw252]

Here is a nice article about the higher than expected light-rail ridership on lightrailnow.org - it has clips from various Phoenix newspapers and pictures and statistics

Phoenix: Light Rail Opens, Ridership Soars - Light Rail Now

Preview:

Phoenix, Arizona – Despite years of resistance to new rail projects from the US Federal Transit Administration, constrained funding, and now a global economic crisis, publicly funded rail transit projects in the USA have continued to be developed, generating jobs and laying tracks to provide enhanced, lower-cost, energy-efficient mobility for the future. On 27 December 2008, Phoenix opened the USA's latest totally new rail transit system – its $1.4-billion, 20-mile light rail transit (LRT) starter line, with 28 stations, connecting northern Phoenix with its eastern suburbs of Tempe and Mesa.
[Map: Valley Metro]

[buckeyenative01]

I typically leave my office around 7pm on weeknights (I work at Park Central) and on my drive home rarely ever see a train that isn't full or a station that doesn't have at least seven or eight people waiting for a train.

Whether or not this holds up in the summertime when its 110 degrees out has yet to be seen, but its good to see that people are using the system, at least in Midtown.

[SpeedyAZ]

I've ridden the light rail for fun and I had a pleasant experience. I rode it a few times, never at the peak hours though. I used it a couple Saturday afternoons to go to Mesa and visited a couple friends, it was probably half full but I imagine during the weekday it's busier. I hope they extend it farther, it is a conveinent way to travel.

[Valley Native]

Light rail is doing very well from what I've witnessed. Most of the trains during all hours of the day are full of riders. However, we must ask if mass transit in the Phoenix area has become TOO focussed on light rail. Many buses are running around practically empty, even during peak commute times. A good, effective mass transit system should include rail lines and bus routes that carry a large amount of passengers. So far, people seem to be ignoring the buses just so they can ride on the "choo choo".

[SpeedyAZ]

Many buses are running around practically empty, even during peak commute times. A good, effective mass transit system should include rail lines and bus routes that carry a large amount of passengers. So far, people seem to be ignoring the buses just so they can ride on the "choo choo".

Buses can get stuck in traffic, light rail doesn't aside from the occasional stoplight. If I was going to ride a bus, I might as well drive since I'll likely get at my destination faster and be in a more comfortable setting while getting there.

[kettlepot]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Light rail is doing very well from what I've witnessed. Most of the trains during all hours of the day are full of riders. However, we must ask if mass transit in the Phoenix area has become TOO focussed on light rail. Many buses are running around practically empty, even during peak commute times. A good, effective mass transit system should include rail lines and bus routes that carry a large amount of passengers. So far, people seem to be ignoring the buses just so they can ride on the "choo choo".

But there's a reason for that. People prefer the rail over the bus. The bus travels the same routes as cars, only slower, with LOTS of stops. The bus is constantly starting and stopping with every streetlight, bus stop, and with every "accordion" slowdown in the traffic. The rail has it's own pathway that avoids these slowdowns and the 'stop and go' car sickness effect common on the buses. Bus routes have advantages in that the routes can be more easily changed, but they are inevitably slower than the passenger automobiles in which they are in direct competition on the very same roads.

I believe that one reason mass transit has often failed is that governments have tried to do it on the cheap, with cheap bus routes. The only benefit the bus route has over the car is that you don't need to pay for parking at your destination. Rail on the other hand, besides eliminating the need for destination parking, can often times get you there faster, with a smoother ride, so you can actually DO something while you are traveling. No way can a person read on a bus. [Insert 'puke' icon here]

Plus because rail stations are permanent fixtures, over time destinations and employment centers will cluster around them. That means ridership will build with time. Because bus routes are so easily changed, (one of their benefits), the route isn't necessarily permanent, so businesses don't necessarily have confidence in building around them. Sure, if a large number of businesses are there the route will be permanent, but what matters is the confidence of the FIRST large business to locate near a transit route. Because the first business doesn't locate there, a transit hub fails to form.

[HX_Guy]

Great points kettlepot. I've said a lot of the same before as well, especially about the fixed route of light rail being a positive vs a negative as some people see it.

Saying it's a negative is like saying the freeways being fixed is a negative thing. Businesses, homes, and retail love to build along the freeway cooridors, look at most of the malls and so many of the business centers and all of their relationships with the freeways.
Rail is the same way...it's permanent so businesses will start to building along the line. Yes, it will take time...as in 10-20-30 years, it's not an overnight thing, but you have to start sometimes.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by kettlepot

But there's a reason for that. People prefer the rail over the bus. The bus travels the same routes as cars, only slower, with LOTS of stops. The bus is constantly starting and stopping with every streetlight, bus stop, and with every "accordion" slowdown in the traffic. The rail has it's own pathway that avoids these slowdowns and the 'stop and go' car sickness effect common on the buses. Bus routes have advantages in that the routes can be more easily changed, but they are inevitably slower than the passenger automobiles in which they are in direct competition on the very same roads.

I believe that one reason mass transit has often failed is that governments have tried to do it on the cheap, with cheap bus routes. The only benefit the bus route has over the car is that you don't need to pay for parking at your destination. Rail on the other hand, besides eliminating the need for destination parking, can often times get you there faster, with a smoother ride, so you can actually DO something while you are traveling. No way can a person read on a bus. [Insert 'puke' icon here]

Plus because rail stations are permanent fixtures, over time destinations and employment centers will cluster around them. That means ridership will build with time. Because bus routes are so easily changed, (one of their benefits), the route isn't necessarily permanent, so businesses don't necessarily have confidence in building around them. Sure, if a large number of businesses are there the route will be permanent, but what matters is the confidence of the FIRST large business to locate near a transit route. Because the first business doesn't locate there, a transit hub fails to form.

That's all fine. However, what needs to be understood is that many of us don't work or live near light rail lines (yet). I used to work downtown, so the trains would have been beneficial for me at one time. But even then, I would have had to catch a bus or drive to a light rail station on Central Avenue. Now, I work in Tempe, so it's actually more convenient for me to take two buses than ride the light rail.

To be clear, I'm not really against light rail. I just don't think it's for everybody. I don't really care for the idea of having to drive to a park & ride lot and leave my vehicle out in the baking sun all day, when I could leave my car at home & take buses if I choose. That's why I'm concerned about fewer people riding the buses lately. Now, the City is even considering making cuts in bus routes due to the economy, while the light rail thrives. Viable mass transit shouldn't be focussed mostly on light rail. I realize it's more fun & enjoyable than riding a bus ... but still, the extensive bus system we have shouldn't be ignored or cut because many people still rely on the buses.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Light rail is doing very well from what I've witnessed. Most of the trains during all hours of the day are full of riders. However, we must ask if mass transit in the Phoenix area has become TOO focussed on light rail. Many buses are running around practically empty, even during peak commute times. A good, effective mass transit system should include rail lines and bus routes that carry a large amount of passengers. So far, people seem to be ignoring the buses just so they can ride on the "choo choo".

I disagree. I think you are observing a natural progression toward light rail and the evolution of the mass transit system in the valley. Busing was naturally going to take a hit as a result of this system. Busing is not going to disappear but it's activity will be reduced which should be expected. I agree that a good mass transit system will incorporate many forms of transportation but not at the expense of not expanding the light rail system. The light rail system should take priority. Buses are still subject to traffic and creating separate busing lanes by expanding highways is ineffcient and costly and it would be wise to allocate those costs toward expanding the light rail system. I agree that light rail isn't for everyone and you are an example of that. Unfortunately, no system will be ideal for every person so we have to do our best to serve the majority of people. We shouldn't maintain certain busing routes just to accomodate a minority of people as that would waste tax payers' money .

[nickw252]

Another benefit of light rail is that it seems much less daunting to approach and start using because of its permanence. Someone who is not familiar with public transit may be overwhelmed with all the bus routes and the lack of any infrastructure or guidance about them, but they know that the train will always be running the same route and comes every X minutes. From there, once they get acquainted with the system they will be confident enough and willing to take more public transit (buses) to more places.

This is exactly what happened to me when I moved to Chicago, I had an apartment right by the EL and took it everyday (I didn't have a car). Shortly after I became comfortable with the system I started taking buses and got to see so much more of the city, and found out that in many instances, taking the bus was actually faster (express routes with few stops).

I understand both sides of the argument above and both are good points. Either way, it looks like public transit in Phoenix is getting a lot better so everyone can be happy about that