Light rail ridership exceeds expectation (Phoenix, Glendale: condos, restaurants, shops)

[nickw252]

And it will be nice once more developments go up around the stations making it even more convenient and practical to ride.

My fav part is when riding the train, no DUI :-D

Phoenix Music - Night Train: The Ultimate Light Rail Pub Crawl - page 1

[waltlantz]

I'm from DC and our rail network took a while to really get going, it was just like 5 or six station is 1976.

Now it's nigh intergral not merely for DC residents but for many suburbanites too (less so exurbanities).

I can imagine how some would scoff at the idea of it being such an asset to the area about 40 years ago.

Still, I understand the frustration that some see in that it doesn't alleviate traffic in a large sense. Given that phoenix is a large sprawling city that is in a large sprawling area only poised for growth.

What is a better idea for those younger, wider cities prolly more commuter rail to serve suburban residents due to the width and low density of the area, same as Houston.

The stickling points are routes, time efficency and capacity. I think a lot of people would like the alternative to going to workplaces or certain events via heavily congested traffic. But it would probably be more like Maryland's MARC trains in that they only operate during the week.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by waltlantz

I'm from DC and our rail network took a while to really get going, it was just like 5 or six station is 1976.

Now it's nigh intergral not merely for DC residents but for many suburbanites too (less so exurbanities).

I can imagine how some would scoff at the idea of it being such an asset to the area about 40 years ago.

Still, I understand the frustration that some see in that it doesn't alleviate traffic in a large sense. Given that phoenix is a large sprawling city that is in a large sprawling area only poised for growth.

What is a better idea for those younger, wider cities prolly more commuter rail to serve suburban residents due to the width and low density of the area, same as Houston.

The stickling points are routes, time efficency and capacity. I think a lot of people would like the alternative to going to workplaces or certain events via heavily congested traffic. But it would probably be more like Maryland's MARC trains in that they only operate during the week.

DC native here too and when I left in 1978 there were but two Metro lines in operation............they intersected at Farragut Square.

[AZParents]

I must say I am pleasantly surprised by the amount of use light rail is getting. I was afraid it'd be another tax $$ boondoggle, but after I saw it in action it looked like something I'd want to use, were I in proximity to do so.

Based on the results, I will happily adjust my opinion of light rail in Phoenix.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by AZParents

I must say I am pleasantly surprised by the amount of use light rail is getting. I was afraid it'd be another tax $$ boondoggle, but after I saw it in action it looked like something I'd want to use, were I in proximity to do so.

Based on the results, I will happily adjust my opinion of light rail in Phoenix.

That's encouraging. That seems to be the common perception of light rail throughout most of the western states - tax $$ boondoggles.

Good to hear that for PHX, that doesn't seem to be the case at all.

[roosevelt]

One interesting aspect of Light Rail is that all along the route on the way to Mesa in Tempe there are old apartment houses being renovated for ASU students. This strip was the worse in the city but now being spruced up, maybe even with new construction. How convenient for college students, they can live even further from campus now, jump on the trolley and get off right on campus.

[silverbear]

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?

The 20-mile starter line runs from the Christown area of Phoenix through Midtown and Downtown. It then heads east along Washington St. into Tempe. It passes by ASU and then proceeds laterally across Tempe to its terminus in west Mesa. At 20 miles, it may be the longest starter line ever built. It's certainly longer than other recent starters lines such as Houston (7.5 miles) and Minneapolis (12 miles). 37 more miles of extension lines are on the map, and construction on one of them will begin this summer.

Despite this ambitious start, I'd still say it's unrealistic for most people to try to live without a car in Phoenix -- unless forced to do by poverty or other circumstances. A more realistic goal is reduced car use -- maybe in the form of driving to a park-and-ride and continuing the commute via train or maybe in the form of two-car households deciding they can get by on one car.

Transit-oriented development is a big part of the plan. Of course, the dismal real estate market has slowed everything down, but we've still seen new projects along the line and many more are proposed.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

One interesting aspect of Light Rail is that all along the route on the way to Mesa in Tempe there are old apartment houses being renovated for ASU students. This strip was the worse in the city but now being spruced up, maybe even with new construction. How convenient for college students, they can live even further from campus now, jump on the trolley and get off right on campus.

Now that you bring it up: I too see what you you are referring to

[Melanie53]

The light rail has been great for us. We live in the Christown area and have a son who attends ASU. We almost bought a new home in Surprise last year but decided against it, and now we're really glad we did.

We live within walking distance to the light rail, and our son rides it to and from ASU Monday through Friday. He sometimes even gets some of his homework done while he's riding.

We have another son who often comes over with his friends on the weekends. They stay and visit with us for a little while, then they leave their cars at our house and ride the light rail to hang out and explore the city. We're all getting together next weekend and taking the light rail to First Friday.

The son who attends ASU said that it takes him the same amount of time to take the light rail as it does to drive to school. When he drove, he had to find parking and walk quite a distance to and from his classes. Either way, it takes about forty or forty five minutes, and that time is better spent reading or working on assignments than sitting in a car in traffic.

[waltlantz]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

DC native here too and when I left in 1978 there were but two Metro lines in operation............they intersected at Farragut Square.

No way, only 2?! And it's where it is now? Geez. Anyways, the popularity will only go up once new lines are built.