This will probably be our transit expansion (Pittsburgh, Duquesne: income, taxes)

[JoeP]

Well there's a big difference if light rail is above or below ground of course.

The Cleveland BRT looks good and if significantly less expensive that rail, not a bad option.

Pittsburgh deserved to get rail decades ago though.

[AaronPGH]

I don't understand the obsession with more expensive rail lines. I would really like to use these new transit options sometime before I die.

[Impala26]

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

I don't understand the obsession with more expensive rail lines. I would really like to use these new transit options sometime before I die.

Agreed. Much like I think it's innane that people strongly suggest building a T line to the airport. What's the demand to justify the cost? If Pittsburgh successfully won that bid for Maglev (what the heck is the status of that technology in the U.S. anymore these days?) it would be a different story when you're talking about a rail line that could whisk you away between Downtown and the Airport or Downtown to Monroeville in like 15 minutes. But the T, plodding along at a max of, what, 40 miles per hour?

[MountainDewGuy]

Originally Posted by Impala26

Wherever you've read that quote, it must be referring to SURFACE rail. That would be next to impossible between Downtown and Oakland (save for maybe Second Avenue corridor up Junction/Panther Hollow). The most recent estimate I heard for just a simple cut-and-cover subway rail line (2.5 to 3 miles) between Downtown and Oakland would cost anywhere from $1.2 to $1.5 BILLION. That's the reason it's not being considered in the near-term.

Forgive my ignorance, but why is surface rail next to impossible but rapid bus transit is not?

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by Impala26

it would be a different story when you're talking about a rail line that could whisk you away between Downtown and the Airport or Downtown to Monroeville in like 15 minutes. But the T, plodding along at a max of, what, 40 miles per hour?

The drive between the Hilton and the airport is just 17 minutes now with clear traffic, I can't see spending hundreds of millions for 2 minutes difference.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by Impala26

Though this is true, to really be considered BRT by modern standards at least, the busways need digital schedules (real-time or otherwise) and some sort of off-board payment method to allow rapid boarding.

Plus same level platform boarding with wide doors and articulated buses.

[AaronPGH]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

The drive between the Hilton and the airport is just 17 minutes now with clear traffic, I can't see spending hundreds of millions for 2 minutes difference.

All the Port Authority really needs to do is eliminate the stop at Robinson on the 28X and go straight to the airport from the west busway. Combine that with new branding for that route (special paint scheme and maybe a better name), plus special accordion buses that have luggage racks built in. That would pretty much take care of airport transit issues. No need for a rail line. They could do that *RIGHT NOW* for barely any money.

[steindle]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

The drive between the Hilton and the airport is just 17 minutes now with clear traffic, I can't see spending hundreds of millions for 2 minutes difference.

(a) Yes, maybe, when there is clear traffic.
(b) This is contingent upon you (1) having a car; and (2) wanting to park it at the airport for several days; and (3) wanting to pay for parking.

As I recall, you were also the person saying that you don't understand taking the bus to the airport -- but the 28X is basically always packed, so I think you would be surprised at the demand.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

All the Port Authority really needs to do is eliminate the stop at Robinson on the 28X and go straight to the airport from the west busway. Combine that with new branding for that route (special paint scheme and maybe a better name), plus special accordion buses that have luggage racks built in. That would pretty much take care of airport transit issues. No need for a rail line. They could do that *RIGHT NOW* for barely any money.

I take the 28X to the airport pretty frequently, and those Robinson stops are heavily used by employees who work at the various retail establishments out there. Without some alternate means to get from downtown to Robinson, they'd kinda be screwed.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

All the Port Authority really needs to do is eliminate the stop at Robinson on the 28X and go straight to the airport from the west busway. Combine that with new branding for that route (special paint scheme and maybe a better name), plus special accordion buses that have luggage racks built in. That would pretty much take care of airport transit issues. No need for a rail line. They could do that *RIGHT NOW* for barely any money.

During clear traffic, the parkway is undoubtably faster than the West Busway- but that would eliminate stops on the busway for folks boarding to the airport from Sheraden or Crafton.