Austin Commuter rail... how long until we get this here!? (Houston: real estate, rent)

[TexHwyMan]

Originally Posted by oldmanshirt

When you say the whole line, do you mean all the way to downtown? Because it looks like it runs west of the I-10/I-35 multiplex around UTSA downtown, then curves southeast to hit S Flores and Probandt right next to Blue Star.

So yeah, that would make a very good commuter line since it runs through lots of suburban middle-income to urban low-income neighborhoods, close to a school, and could terminate at an area with a burgeoning population of young singles. All of these could (and would) use more transit options if they were available.

If memory serves me correctly, yes, from Leon Springs all the way down to at least the jail. Too bad they couldn't have gotten it way back when it ran all the way from Boerne.

[Deep Forest]

Originally Posted by TexHwyMan

If memory serves me correctly, yes, from Leon Springs all the way down to at least the jail. Too bad they couldn't have gotten it way back when it ran all the way from Boerne.

Here's some info on the Boerne railroad:

TTM web

[oldmanshirt]

It would seem that Southsiders would stand to benefit as much as anyone from rail, so I'd like to see at least some provision made for them. I'm thinking a starter line connecting Brooks City-Base to Lackland and/or Port SA along Military Hwy would make the most sense. This could also have the effect of finally creating some real South side momentum, which is something everyone in SA pays lip service to but rarely seems to take seriously.

[Steel Man]

How about a line from downtown to SeaWorld? It could go south down I35 to Hwy 90, then west to SH 151 and up to SeaWorld.

[EJ4512]

This thread was started about Commuter rail which is different than light rail, which is another thread. I think people are confusing the two. San Antonio is looking into plans for light rail.

Light rail uses electric rail cars and generally has a lower capacity and speed than "heavy rail" ( commuter lines are considered heavy rail). Light rail also goes through more urbanized areas, has tighter turning raduis making navigation easier through cities, since it primarily uses both shared right-of-way (streets) and private right-of-way.

The best way to compare is Dallas and Houston use light-rail. They have higher ridership (Houston 45,000 on one line - Dallas 61,000 between two lines) a day. There both bulding more lines. Austin will have Commuter rail between downtown and leander (32 miles with less stops/stations and runs less frequently). The Austin commuter line is expeted to have a daily ridership of 1,000-2,000. Light-rail and Commuter rail are also not compataible with each other, so its like they can just put light rail cars on the commuter line in the future to change it. By the way Austin turned down light-rail proposal like SA in 2000 which had a projected daly ridership of 43,000 at the time and went in a different direction with commuter rail.

So basically what it comes down too, is San Antonio wants light-rail in the metro SA area to connect all the areas being mentioned, not commuter rail. Commuter would be good to connect SA and Austin much like trinity express does for Dallas/FW but not used within SA metro like Austin is doing.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by oldmanshirt

It would seem that Southsiders would stand to benefit as much as anyone from rail, so I'd like to see at least some provision made for them. I'm thinking a starter line connecting Brooks City-Base to Lackland and/or Port SA along Military Hwy would make the most sense. This could also have the effect of finally creating some real South side momentum, which is something everyone in SA pays lip service to but rarely seems to take seriously.

Hmmm, I'm all about more opportunity for the southside, but I can't imagine a commuter rail only along Military getting much use. There's not a significant population density along the road. Getting there would require a car for most people or a bus transfer at least.

I certainly wouldn't mind it, but I'd think we'd have to improve bus service from the neghborhoods to Military to allow for use of the light rail. Most people, if they have to get in their car anyway, aren't going to park and switch to a train (some do, I know there are park n rides about, but they're not that heavily used).

[urbsan]

i wonder if they are planning to go through downtown where would they fit it, alot of the streets down there are really small and tight, or are they planning for it to just go really close to downtown like the outskirts. also im sure this is a stupid question, but would anyone know how much more expensive an actual subway would be? or at least a subway in the dense part of the inner city like downtown and river north cause i dont think anyone can deny how amazingly cool that would be haha!!

[ChrisSA_wxatUIW]

Originally Posted by urbsan

i wonder if they are planning to go through downtown where would they fit it, alot of the streets down there are really small and tight, or are they planning for it to just go really close to downtown like the outskirts. also im sure this is a stupid question, but would anyone know how much more expensive an actual subway would be? or at least a subway in the dense part of the inner city like downtown and river north cause i dont think anyone can deny how amazingly cool that would be haha!!

the problem with a subway is San Antonio's geography- you dig a couple feet and you hit solid rock. I think as far as any kind of rapid public trasportation goes, it will have to be above ground...

[tgannaway89]

Originally Posted by Chaka

Hmmm, I'm all about more opportunity for the southside, but I can't imagine a commuter rail only along Military getting much use. There's not a significant population density along the road. Getting there would require a car for most people or a bus transfer at least.

I certainly wouldn't mind it, but I'd think we'd have to improve bus service from the neghborhoods to Military to allow for use of the light rail. Most people, if they have to get in their car anyway, aren't going to park and switch to a train (some do, I know there are park n rides about, but they're not that heavily used).

The best corridor for ridership is the to the Northwest along I-10 or Fredericksburg. The Southside just doesn't have the population density for light-rail. Eventually it could work, but the Southside has to do some growing first. You don't build a light-rail to stimulate growth. You build light-rail in high-growth areas to alleviate traffic. Light-rail could eventually be expanded to the Southside, especially considering what the future will hold (A&M campus). I really want to see the Southside grow, but to build any kind of light-rail system there now would be a waste.

[tgannaway89]

Originally Posted by ChrisSA_wxatUIW

the problem with a subway is San Antonio's geography- you dig a couple feet and you hit solid rock. I think as far as any kind of rapid public trasportation goes, it will have to be above ground...

The city also has to deal with the aquifer and the flood bypass tunnel built under the city. San Antonio is also famous for flash floods which would pose a huge threat to an underground system. Anything underground on that large of a scale isn't really an option in SA.