Light rail ridership exceeds expectation (Phoenix, Mesa: real estate market, new home, construction)

[joninaz]

No reduction in traffic. In fact Valley Metro itself concluded in their final environmental impact study that the design of the Phoenix system is expected to actually increase regional taffic/congestion and subsequent pollution. The "green" arguments for rail are pretty much bunk in the Phoenix market. Rail does make sense in certain other cities where there are geographical impacts on the flow of transport, but Phoenix is a giant, mostly flat grid with people going in every direction.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by GSXRScott

I have a question for everyone. Has anyone noticed a change in the traffic congestion since the light rail began service? Obviously it's getting tons of ridership but will it help the environment and parking lot freeways?

No, and I seriously doubt that it will make any difference. Even the planners, and the strong supporters likely never expected any reduction in traffic congestion or pollution. Face it: this is a large, spread out metro area where most people drive vehicles, which contribute to the congestion & pollution. One thing I like, however, is the fact that we now have a viable mass transit system: a pretty good combination of rail, buses, freeways, and surface streets developed in a grid pattern. A large city like this needs all of that for an effective transportation system ... despite the fact that we're a lot like L.A. in the sense that we love to drive!

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

No, and I seriously doubt that it will make any difference. Even the planners, and the strong supporters likely never expected any reduction in traffic congestion or pollution. Face it: this is a large, spread out metro area where most people drive vehicles, which contribute to the congestion & pollution. One thing I like, however, is the fact that we now have a viable mass transit system: a pretty good combination of rail, buses, freeways, and surface streets developed in a grid pattern. A large city like this needs all of that for an effective transportation system ... despite the fact that we're a lot like L.A. in the sense that we love to drive!

You have to understand that this first phase is a starting point. It wasn't meant to immediately alleviate congestion and serve as an active transport accross the city. Furthermore, large spread out cities are well served by a light rail as the San Francisco Bay area is served by B.A.R.T and the L serves the Chicago area. As light rail continues to draw travelers, the city will continue to invest and expand it. You can't create a massive public transportation infrastructure in a matter of 5 or 6 years. I'm just happy that the city has moved in the right direction and even if I can't benefit from it immediately. And for many people, it has already served them well.

[azriverfan.]

Furthermore, I think rail is going to be important because the current trends show businesses will ultimately move to downtown. It's just a matter of time. As Arizona State University continue to consolidate it's campuses into downtown, students will have no choice but to live there. That is going to create a new infrastructure in downtown. Businesses will be established to serve this student population. As the area becomes populated and vibrant then local valley companies will relocate to downtown which will create a trickle down effect and encourage other valley companies to follow them. The unfortunate thing in all of this are those suburbs and new communties on the fringes trying to attract new business are going to suffer.

As mentioned previously, the failed efforts to develop downtown in the past were due to poor planning and weak strategy. In the past, the idea was to provide housing to lure residents which would then lure companies. The problem of course was that people were not going to move there simply because you put up some nice lofts and apartments. This current strategy involves establishing education in which students are forced to spend at least part of their day there and many will choose to stay there out of convenience.

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by GSXRScott

I have a question for everyone. Has anyone noticed a change in the traffic congestion since the light rail began service? Obviously it's getting tons of ridership but will it help the environment and parking lot freeways?

It's too early to see an obvious impact throughout the entire metro area. A bigger impact might come about after all the extensions are done and bus routes expanded to match. Keep in mind, though, that because the Phoenix area is usually fast growing, an impact on traffic might be measured not in terms of a reduction but a just a reduced rate of growth or a steady state.

In the meantime, rail opponents continue to cite "Metro's own numbers" from a much-ballyhooed study years ago. Read this as really "anti-rail interpretations of Metro's own numbers to say what anti-rail forces want them to say." Expanded transit is a long-term proposition, but naysayers continue to harp on one study taken out of context in an ongoing attempt to discredit this highly successful project.

[ArizonaBear]

Side note here:

Despite my strongly preferring to drive from point to point since it saves a hell of a lot of time (with the probable exception of heading to downtown Phx alone); once I get a car again (I looked at one yesterday)-------------I will still be riding the LR from time to time.

Too: not only did I ride the LR yesterday; I also rode the bus and despite many of the folks on there being the antithesis of plastic 'Scottsdale' folks in appearance..........none of them were particularly rude nor smelled bad.

[Tiger Beer]

How extensive is the LR?

At this time, without having seen it, is it possible for people to live in PHX without a car? Does it seem like it could be like that in the future?

Does the city prospect that communities will build around whatever stations exist now?

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

How extensive is the LR?

At this time, without having seen it, is it possible for people to live in PHX without a car? Does it seem like it could be like that in the future?

Does the city prospect that communities will build around whatever stations exist now?

Try this link: Rail life which admittedly is pro Light Rail but it has links to the official site

[Synopsis]

Light rail is great. The DART system in Dallas is sweet. I hope Phoenix expands their light rail system. The cost in infrastructure is quite a bit but the payoff in the long run is well worth it.

[_Charles_]

Originally Posted by nickw252

Hopefully they'll get the extensions up soon. I read that Minneapolis just did an extension on their light rail and it has far exceeded all expectations also.

Agreed extension will be a great benefit. The key is to make it useful for folks to commute to work.