Could Atlanta be in the running for second Amazon headquarters? (Boston: purchasing, trains)

[primaltech]

I didn't know Puerto Rico had a heavy rail system. That's awesome.

[Soccernerd]

Originally Posted by bu2

Most newer stuff is LRT because it doesn't have to be fully grade separated. That makes it more flexible and cheaper. And few places need the capacity of HRT. There are only 11 metro areas with it in the US and only Baltimore and Cleveland (with ridership less than 1/6th of MARTA) are outside the top 11 in population.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...s_by_ridership

Houston and Dallas are the only ones in the top 11 without heavy rail (not counting commuter rail).

Wow! I the Washington Metro is almost as busy as the Chicago "L"...and then the New York Subway BLOWS away the "L".

[primaltech]

Originally Posted by Soccernerd

Wow! I the Washington Metro is almost as busy as the Chicago "L"...

The sad part there is that it's only 3 years older than MARTA. That was our sister heavy rail system in the 70's.

[JMatl]

Originally Posted by krogerDisco

Like the Connector during morning and evening Rush Hour?

Yes, only on another level that can last all day long.

There isn't an equivalent in Pittsburgh, with the exception of the ridiculously outdated 'Parkway' during peak rush hour. I wouldn't expect you to understand this level of congestion, living in a shrinking Metro.

[JMatl]

Originally Posted by primaltech

MARTA trains go slow all the time. Whether it could be faster doesn't matter, if it doesn't go faster.

No, they don't. Trains on the Red Line between the Buckhead station & Medical Center routinely go 70+ mph. There is no part of anything Sound Transit operates that even approaches those speeds.

This also applies to every major City that is relying on Light Rail.

The greater Puget Sound area is probably saturated with the best bus service in North America. It doesn't seem to make much of a difference in the insane congestion they live with.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by krogerDisco

Like the Connector during morning and evening Rush Hour?

No, it was much worse.
God, you're predictable.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

Rental rates in Atlanta are $25-$35/sq ft/year. In Seattle it is around $40-$50.

I have serveral times commented on this in terms of a relatively painless way for the business community to participate in transit funding.

Suppose there was $.50 per square foot surcharge on Class A office space, dedicated to transit.

Assuming we have 200 million sf of Class A office space, that extra 50 cents translates into $100 million a year for transit. A billion in ten years, $4 billion over forty years (like the recent sales tax increase).

And Atlanta office rents would still be WAY below rents in Seattle.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I have serveral times commented on this in terms of a relatively painless way for the business community to participate in transit funding.

Suppose there was $.50 per square foot surcharge on Class A office space, dedicated to transit.

Assuming we have 200 million sf of Class A office space, that extra 50 cents translates into $100 million a year for transit. A billion in ten years, $4 billion over forty years (like the recent sales tax increase).

And Atlanta office rents would still be WAY below rents in Seattle.

Have you talked to your state rep to get a bill passed to make that a legal possibility yet?

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

Have you talked to your state rep to get a bill passed to make that a legal possibility yet?

I have mentioned it but haven't had time to go into details yet. At this point I'm still doing grassroots work and trying to build public support. Everybody seems to think it is a great idea and I believe even the big corporations and institutions are open to it.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I have mentioned it but haven't had time to go into details yet. At this point I'm still doing grassroots work and trying to build public support. Everybody seems to think it is a great idea and I believe even the big corporations and institutions are open to it.

Well, let me know when you've got a bit more footing. I'm rooting for yah, I really am. In the mean time, though, I'ma keep pushing to do the most with what tools we got.