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Atlanta and DC have heavy rail, a totally different beast.
And my understanding is, rail cant really go into neigborhoods. It would run along main thoroughfares and then you'd have ferry buses run thru the neighborhoods.
You're right. The light rail that we have in Charlotte (LYNX) runs along a major avenue (South Blvd). It has feeder buses tramsport commuters to it. There are also some stations with parking losts, for those that rather drive to them.
Over all, our city's light rail system has been a success. Yes, we had a 1/2 penny sales tax increased, but I believe it was worth it. The system was forecast to average around 8,000 passengers daily, but it actually has close to 18,000 passengers per day. It is a success story. Cities like Atlanta are studying it to recreate similar light rail systems.
I live in Miami now, and I use the bus line he's talking about. It is good (probably the best part of the bus system in Miami-Dade), but it still doesn't compare to the train, which goes above traffic. Even in specialized bus lanes, you're still going to have to wait at some traffic lines. Plus, there's something psychological that gives a train an edge.
Also, ironically, this bus lane we have down here was built over an old, unused railroad line. History repeats itself indeed!
I know what you mean. I would never get on a bus, but I ride the light rail every day. I think professional white collar people don't like buses, not sure what it is. But somehow they feel cool on a train. Not sure why.
When I lived in Miami, I also rode the MetroRail, even TriRail and MetroMover, but I never got on a bus. I guess a train running on tracks is more efficient than a bus sharing the road with other commuters and getting stuck on the same traffic jam as every body else.
Im the same way I don't ride the buses in Portland unless I absolutely have to. I ride the light rail or MAX as it is called here at least 4 days a week. I voted yes for light rail on this Tampa poll. After this winter in Portland I may just have to retire to Florida, my tolerance for snow and cold has definitely died this year. Im hoping that at some point in the not to distant future the Tampa region or Sarasota, will get on the ball and get some form of efficient transport in operation. Im glad to see there is at least talking about such a system going on there.
Location: somewhere close to Tampa, but closer to the beach
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Here in San Jose..i believe we had also voted for a 1/2 cent tax hike for our system..and, if memory serves me correct, our city council just approved another measure for extending Cal trains and light rail further throughout the valley..
Many of our L.R. stations have park and ride lots, several of which are located in residential areas... Those which do not have park and ride access are generally about a 15 minaute bus ride away..unless you get stuck in traffic..
On my side of town,..a typical ride on the light rail takes about 15 minautes or so to reach the stations located downtown ( a distance of about 10-12 miles )...depending on how many stops are made in between. Most days though, its a pretty quick trip..and worth not having to deal with the congestion or paying between 8-15 bucks just to park somewhere..just to go watch a Sharks game..
I would never get on a bus, but I ride the light rail every day. I think professional white collar people don't like buses, not sure what it is. But somehow they feel cool on a train. Not sure why.
If we can build that monstrosity of a highway in the sky known as the cross-town expressway I can't imagine why a railway is unreasonable.
It has to be built and implemented gradually like mayor Pam is trying to do in Tampa. A network doesn't spring up all at once. When people are sitting in traffic they'll get sick of seeing that train blow by them and will want to get on board.
Atlanta, DC and others have a very efficient and successful light rail system in place and operating.
As someone else has stated, the system here in Atlanta is heavy rail (subway style cars/tracks), not light rail. They are currently suffering a large fall in revenue and the State does not contribute money to them, so any plans to expand has been stalled for years.
There were plans to have a light rail that would travel up Peachtree Road in Atlanta, but that was shelved when the City managers "lost" millions of dollars. Another light rail "beltline" project around the city is in jeopardy, as the State DOT office now wants some of the land. In other words - no, ours isn't very efficient... so if things move along in the Tampa area, the public needs to make sure things are done right, and be deeply involved in the planning and money management process... else you be stuck with what we have here - a dead end.
I really wish Tampa would get something built or at least make an attempt to. I wouldn't hold my breath though waiting for it. It takes years to get an efficient system in place. Portland has been building one continuoulsy since 1986 and as slow as it is it is extensive. One new commuter rail line opened this week, another light rail line opens in Sept. One Light rail line in itself is 30 miles long the Blue Line. At one point buiding the system was put on the ballot, now it is just built. I both believe in and use transit. I have lived in several areas of this world and used it in every place. I know some in Tampa want something done, but I think they are in the minority. This lack of real interest in transit where something is actually done is very common in southern cities. I have followed Charlotte's and even though it has been built there is a lot of controversy with it. I do not see their's being extended without a constant battle. Portland's system is heavily funded thru Federal and local subsidies. I don't imagine that Portland is above other cities for receiving and using these funds to build these rail systems. For one thing Portland has to really go out there and look for people to get the metro population figures here to come close to the 2 million mark. So there has to be more as to why the cities in the South, Atlanta, Tampa, Raleigh, Orlando do not take some action. Tampa's population metro wise St Pete included and the number of suburbs of both make the population around or pushing 4 million. I feel it has to do more with the lack of interest on both the part of the local population and the politicians. What other reason could there be that Portland is recieiving these funds and places like Tampa ( With a Higher Population) are not applying for them or using them for transit projects. For those that do live in these cities such as Tampa and want Transit built it must be a constant battle. If Tampa were to actually break ground on a rail line today say 10 miles long, it would take at least 4 to 5 years before it would be in operation. So since nothing is being built at this moment, it is safe to say here in 2009 that even by 2019 nothing will be running. I guess one can hope though. So everyone hope.
I really wish Tampa would get something built or at least make an attempt to. I wouldn't hold my breath though waiting for it. It takes years to get an efficient system in place. Portland has been building one continuoulsy since 1986 and as slow as it is it is extensive. One new commuter rail line opened this week, another light rail line opens in Sept. One Light rail line in itself is 30 miles long the Blue Line. At one point buiding the system was put on the ballot, now it is just built. I both believe in and use transit. I have lived in several areas of this world and used it in every place. I know some in Tampa want something done, but I think they are in the minority. This lack of real interest in transit where something is actually done is very common in southern cities. I have followed Charlotte's and even though it has been built there is a lot of controversy with it. I do not see their's being extended without a constant battle. Portland's system is heavily funded thru Federal and local subsidies. I don't imagine that Portland is above other cities for receiving and using these funds to build these rail systems. For one thing Portland has to really go out there and look for people to get the metro population figures here to come close to the 2 million mark. So there has to be more as to why the cities in the South, Atlanta, Tampa, Raleigh, Orlando do not take some action. Tampa's population metro wise St Pete included and the number of suburbs of both make the population around or pushing 4 million. I feel it has to do more with the lack of interest on both the part of the local population and the politicians. What other reason could there be that Portland is recieiving these funds and places like Tampa ( With a Higher Population) are not applying for them or using them for transit projects. For those that do live in these cities such as Tampa and want Transit built it must be a constant battle. If Tampa were to actually break ground on a rail line today say 10 miles long, it would take at least 4 to 5 years before it would be in operation. So since nothing is being built at this moment, it is safe to say here in 2009 that even by 2019 nothing will be running. I guess one can hope though. So everyone hope.
We voted for it and it passed years ago, but didn't get it due to $$$$. There is lots of interest, but no $$$. Also, Tampa has been kind of stupid about letting some opportunities slip through the cracks. My husband is an architect and he said the cost for infrastructure, etc. would be absolutely staggering - like in the billions, not to mention it would take years to build. In this economy, not too much hope for that.
But with that said, Crist is backing the commuter rail for Orlando:
As someone else has stated, the system here in Atlanta is heavy rail (subway style cars/tracks), not light rail.
There were plans to have a light rail that would travel up Peachtree Road in Atlanta, but that was shelved when the City managers "lost" millions of dollars. Another light rail "beltline" project around the city is in jeopardy, as the State DOT office now wants some of the land. In other words - no, ours isn't very efficient...
Very True.
FWIW - Light Rail does not refer to the weight of the car, but to the type of service - fast, light passenger load, usually multiple cars in a train, in a segregated right of way, with widely spaced stops. So MARTA does qualify as light rail.
Streetcars usually refer to single cars, sharing the road, with short to moderate routes, closely spaced stops, moderate to slow speed and designed for a high crush load.
In an optimized rail network, post petroleum, cities will probably need a network of streetcars and trolley buses (and hybrids) distributing passengers moved by "commuter speed" subways, interurbans, and light rail.
New Streetcar Plans Dust Off History - 11Alive.com | WXIA | Atlanta, GA (http://www.11alive.com/news/article_news.aspx?storyid=110435 - broken link)
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