Austin Commuter rail... how long until we get this here!? (transfer to, car)

[Cookiemeister]

If you go south on Fred going towards downtown there are numerous industrial type older empty buildings that would be great for new businesses and restaurants. Everytime I drive down that road I think about all the potential all these empty building have... ripe for the picking.

[BigDogsTX]

It looks like Wolff came out with a possible plan from his blue ribbon panel for a starter light rail line.

Wolff rolls out another plan for light rail

My gut reaction is that the line is on the wrong side of I-10 but theres not much that can be done since its an existing rail line. It could be a really great opportunity to encourage growth along the line that is transit oriented.

Every system need to start somewhere and because this is an existing rail line this makes it possible to build a system for a lot less than other cities have.

[allbizness]

Its a starter line that will connect FSH with Bullis, with VIA being hard headed about this issue, it's good to see someone take charge of light rail in San Antonio.

[tgannaway89]

Originally Posted by allbizness

Its a starter line that will connect FSH with Bullis, with VIA being hard headed about this issue, it's good to see someone take charge of light rail in San Antonio.

This line isn't near Fort Sam. It will basically run parallel to I-10 (from The Rim to the future multi-modal station). It will however connect UTSA and UTSA Downtown.

The reason VIA isn't being so active is because last time (1999) they paved the way for light-rail the citizens overwhelmingly rejected it (at least they are finally getting BRT which will obtain right-of-ways for future light-rail). SA today is a lot more progressive, but I'm not sure how forward thinking the community as a whole is yet. If term limits are extended in November then I don't see much of a problem for a light-rail initiative as the citizens will show that we are finally ready to become a world-class city.

[allbizness]

Firstly, this is the same line Wolff was talking about a month or so ago that he said would connect FSH with Camp Bullis. The Express News is the one who seems to think the line is only going from downtown to The Rim.

Second, the reason VIA isn't putting the focus on light rail is that the previous President of VIA just wiped the entire slate clean once the LRT vote was a no and decided to go the BRT route no matter what.

I know because I know a few high ups in VIA. They were way too deep into the BRT line once he finally stepped down that there's no way the Medical Center to Downtown line would be revised to become LRT.

[tgannaway89]

You can view it on a map. Even at the closest point it is still over 3 miles West of Fort Sam. BRT on the West side of I-10 and LRT on the East side of I-10 would really help with congestion.

A LRT line to connect FSH and Camp Bullis isn't necessary. Both are large military instillations and Bullis is very spread out. I'm not sure how many people travel between FSH and Bullis daily, but I doubt its a lot (though I'm not sure how much increase there will be in 2011). Bullis is mostly for field training and medical flight training. There is no permanent housing at Bullis.

[allbizness]

Look at what map? There is no map of any line. It's a preliminary line.

However, the line that is in question will connect FSH with Bullis, this has been stated before by Wolff. As for the reason: To move troops faster from FSH to Bullis.

Camp Bullis Action Plan Includes Light Rail

[dweej]

One of the things I love about Dallas is their light-rail system, a system that has (in addition to a lot of other things!) helped Richardson, a once-not-so-interesting suburb become a very diesirable place to live and has landed it on those You-know-you-wanna-live-here lists. As a regular mom who will probably be able to afford gas for a while and who isn't obsessed with saving the environment, I'm a lover of the light rail because I have kids. Maybe I'm not like other moms, but I love taking my older kids downtown- cultural events, historical exhibits, The Nutcracker....all good things, except if you're stuck driving and they're stuck in the backseat, it seems like an opportunity wasted. Especially if you then get stuck in traffic. And then you have to figure out where you're going to park. And then....ah!...this street is one way! And you're late, and you're stressed, and you can't have that glass of wine with dinner because you've got to drive *back* home when it's all over. Buzzkill!

If the light rail is an option, you and the kids can actually talk (yes, we talk to each other. Seriously!), you don't have to worry about getting lost. You know exactly how long the trip is going to take, you don't have to find or pay for parking, you can have a drink (or 2? ), you can be exhausted on the way back, and in the meantime, as an added bonus, haven't spent money on gas or wear-and-tear on the car. If family's in town, you can all go together. None of this driving in separate cars, following each other, more of this stress business.

I'm certain the nay-sayers are short-sighted on this one, and I'm pretty sure they'll learn to love it when it finally happens .

[TexHwyMan]

Originally Posted by TexHwyMan

VIA actually had a chance to buy that whole line back in the early '90s IIRC, and wanted to, but there was a public outcry against it because people thought it would be a waste of money, so VIA dropped it.

Another example of the shortsightedness that seemingly pervades the general public.

And look, what's old is new again:
Wolff rolls out another plan for light rail

I had completely forgotten about the "Theme Train" idea!

[tgannaway89]

Originally Posted by allbizness

Look at what map? There is no map of any line. It's a preliminary line.

However, the line that is in question will connect FSH with Bullis, this has been stated before by Wolff. As for the reason: To move troops faster from FSH to Bullis.

Camp Bullis Action Plan Includes Light Rail

The rail already exists. There is a map in the news story posted above that shows the route. The "Camp Bullis action plan" story is referring to using LRT to ease development around Camp Bullis. You really think they are going to use a public LRT to transport troops on a daily basis?