San Antonio Light-Rail... Possibility?...Give SA Light Rail...Light Rail Trolley (Austin: property taxes, appraisals)

[neddy]

I think SA could use one and I would start with a line that goes to the area where the people don't have cars since there are lots of them! I think it might be harder to convince most northsiders to give up their cars! I think it also would be fun to see if we have the same type of accidents the Houston had with cars when the train came online!

[AtlantaTexan]

being from san antonio but currently living in Atlanta, i see the benefits of having a light rail system, and SA needs it. we have MARTA here, and its a godsend. the traffic is still pretty bad, but living on the northside, its the best way for me to get to the airport and not have to pay the ridiculous parking rates at Hartsfield.

[slaleman]

I've been thinking about this since it was voted down 7 years ago. We moved to Chicago after that vote, and loved having the El just a block from our apartment...one of the few things I loved about living there.

I think the most logical "starter routes" would have to encompass the entire city, not just downtown...such as the following:

from I-10 @ 1604 to the downtown UTSA campus. It makes sense for students to commute between the campuses, as well as commuters that already drive into downtown on I-10...not to mention the USAA folks. There is already a park and ride lot under the highway there, it could just be expanded.

1604 @ 281 is another good starter route...just to ease the congestion in that area...a bit harder to implement because there would need to be a park and ride lot built out there somewhere.

A third could be down the I-35 corridor into downtown. Already a park and ride lot at 410/35, and could be extended out to Schertz, or even to New Braunfels with stops at Ft. Sam/BAMC, AT & T center, etc.

A fourth route from the Palo Atlto area into downtown, and a fifth down 151/90 with stops at Sea World, Wolfe Stadium, Kelly/Lackland...

I think eventually you could have a "loop" following 1604 and 410 that would connect these routes from E-W so folks wouldn't have to go all the way downtown to connect to another train that would take them back out another direction.

Just my 2 cents...

[tgannaway89]

Sorry, those pictures aren't working.

Red, Blue, and Orange routes:


Green, Yellow, and Purple Routes:


Pink Route:


All of them:


I am there 210! I'd be willing to pitch in some time and money to get the ball rolling. A website is of course a great idea, to inform citizens of the benefits. If we can get a list of everyone that needs to be contacted (city council members, etc.) and share our ideas with them I'm sure we can get something going. The news would love to hear as well. I'm sure San Antonio would be able to get funding for this project, as it would become a great asset to the city!

[tgannaway89]

These are the routes that I used in the images:

Red route runs along Durango Blvd. from I-37 to Woodward St.

Orange route runs from the end of the Red route to Flores St., then north to Nueva St., and West to the UTSA Downtown campus.

Blue route starts at the Alamo/Durango intersection, and runs north to Losoya to the Losoya/Houston intersection.

Green route starts from the end of Blue route and runs along Broadway to the 281/37 intersection.

Yellow route then carries on Broadway to Brackenridge Park.

Purple route runs from Yellow and turns on Mulberry (between Brackenridge Park and Brackenridge Golf Course) to St. Marys, then north to Tuleta Dr.

Pink route takes off from there and briefly heads west to the McAllister Fwy all the way north to the airport.

(I think that is about accurate with the images?)
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I'm not sure how feasible these routes are, but it wouldn't take much altering to get a feasible route that would service most of Downtown's popular destinations, up to the airport.

[dendox]

Count me in as someone who is willing to do provide time and energy and even a little money to help get this thing going. I don't have the website creating skills, but I do have a good work ethic.

If the SA Toll Party grass roots campaign can hose me in my desire to get a toll road - I see no reason why this can't work as well.

[tgannaway89]

Originally Posted by Squidlo

Before you get excited about Light Rail. Id consider the dramatic effects it can have on communities traversed or at "end of line". Ive witnessed first hand some of the negative effects of lightrail. Such as but not limited to, choking of existing roadways to accomodate new rail lines and translocation of large amounts of lower income families to suburban locations (great if you own large apt complexes in the area). As conveinient as Light Rail is for some it isnt for many others. It is costly as fares never cover costs and the rest would be gathered from fees levied against business or new bond issues. Id welcome Light Rail if it was designed to be self sufficient and not fee/tax supported. I really dont relish the idea of subsidizing the train ride of an urban professional so he/she can drink starbucks and read on the way to the office.


Squidlo

I was reading about Houston's rail line and fare covers about 80% of the operational costs. The other 20% wouldn't be too hard to fund, and advertising would also help cover costs. About 40,000 people a day use their light-rail system now!

[Torrey]

They have too much construction going on already. If they wanted a light rail, then they should have done it before they tore up the roads like they are doing now. They should have done it years ago.

No, not in favor. However it doesn't matter as I'll be moving in about 3 more years anyway.

[winst0n]

yes im in favor...
my only concern is, our downtown is not really a Central Business District...
its more touristy than business...
nevertheless, i would still love to see light rails in SA...

[oldmanshirt]

Business or tourism, the rail has to take people where they want to go, and 20 million people want to see the Alamo.

I'm in, provided this thing is fully planned out and logical (i.e., not like Austin). If they're gonna screw around with it, i'd just as soon see the money go into widening 1604 and building new interchanges.

Something starting at the airport would make sense if there wasnt already so much construction along 410, so my vote would be for something starting in the Alamo Ranch, or even Helotes, area and going through Westover Hills, along 151 (where there still seems to be enough right of way space), and eventually to downtown. If any area needs transportation alternatives, it's 1604 west/south of Bandera Rd.