Public Transportation System in the works for Boise (McCall, Sun Valley: taxes, live)

[Torrie]

So here's what everyone's been waiting for:

Public transit plan now ready for public review | KTVB.COM | Boise, Idaho News, Weather, Sports, Video, Traffic & Events | IDAHO NEWS (http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jan1008-transit_center.d3278c1.html - broken link)

[Anchorless]

I have my doubts as to this plan. It seems to emphasize the importance of downtown, whereas it seems to me that the downtown area is a secondary or tertiary work sector (behind Micron and the mall/Milwaukee/Cole/Fairview/Franklin sectors).

One would hope this plan stresses the inter-connectivity of this sectors, as well as the major shopping, educational, and recreational areas.

I understand public transportation can't be everything, and I certainly applaud the initiative to get this done. People just need to get the hell out of their cars for this to work, however. And I don't see those that work in the downtown sector doing that.

[Torrie]

Originally Posted by Anchorless

I have my doubts as to this plan. It seems to emphasize the importance of downtown, whereas it seems to me that the downtown area is a secondary or tertiary work sector (behind Micron and the mall/Milwaukee/Cole/Fairview/Franklin sectors).

One would hope this plan stresses the inter-connectivity of this sectors, as well as the major shopping, educational, and recreational areas.

I understand public transportation can't be everything, and I certainly applaud the initiative to get this done. People just need to get the hell out of their cars for this to work, however. And I don't see those that work in the downtown sector doing that.

Why don't you go to the meeting and voice your concern? That's the whole point of the meeting- they want to hear from the public. Then come back and tells what they said! Give us the scoop!

[Syringaloid]

This is a good step in the right direction. I work downtown and I have heard many people talking about how exciting this will be and I do think people who work and live downtown will use the street cars. I would much rather see this implemented first downtown and then to other areas of the city. Downtown is the most urban area of the city and starting this project in the city center is a given.
It will add to the ambiance of our emerging downtown area.

[Anchorless]

Originally Posted by Torrie

Why don't you go to the meeting and voice your concern? That's the whole point of the meeting- they want to hear from the public. Then come back and tells what they said! Give us the scoop!

I've been part of this process for a long time, dear.

[Anchorless]

Originally Posted by Syringaloid

This is a good step in the right direction. I work downtown and I have heard many people talking about how exciting this will be and I do think people who work and live downtown will use the street cars. I would much rather see this implemented first downtown and then to other areas of the city. Downtown is the most urban area of the city and starting this project in the city center is a given.
It will add to the ambiance of our emerging downtown area.

I agree, but from testimony I've heard (and I agree with this) the majority of the downtown workforce are among the least likely to even use public transportation. Perhaps those working in the restaurants and bars, and it would certainly do well for those coming to those establishments, but the workforce at large "most likely" won't use public transportation.

I've heard that the demographic far more likely to use public transportation are those making less money working service jobs in the mall area, or those wanting to get out of the bottleneck at Micron (with a direct service line there).

But yeah, it is still a good plan to serve there in large order, and it will add to the ambiance of downtown.

[Torrie]

Originally Posted by Anchorless

I've been part of this process for a long time, dear.

Sorry, I just hear you complain about everything, but I never hear about what you do. I just think if you're going to complain about how everything is so wrong, than you should participate in the process and I just don't get that impression that you do.

P.S. I'm giving you the opportunity to brag here.

[Anchorless]

I'll just say, as so I don't out myself, just look around at that meeting and you'll see me.

[logicskier]

As someone who used to work for ACHD, working on traffic mitigation planning, I can assure you that a light rail in this valley is 15 to 20 years away. Generally speaking the population threshold for such a system is at least 1 million. Also, in order for a light rail system to ever work you need to have an advance bus system which will get the rail passengers from the rail stops to their final destination and everyone who lives in this valley knows that the ValleyRide bus system is pathetic at best.

Please note that Minneapolis only just recently got its first light rail line (the hiawatha line.) The metro population for the minneapolis-st. paul metro area is 3,502,891.

In addition, a person needs to realize that no mass transit system ever operates consistently in the black and therefore requires tax subsidies, such as a local option tax. As of today, the Idaho constitution does not allow for a local option tax, with the exception of resort towns and there are only three of those, McCall, Sun Valley, and Coeur D'Alene. Last year, the elected people at the statehouse would not even let a bill out of committee to go to vote, which would have, if passed, allowed for local governments, through the public referendums, the ability to impose new local option taxes only if approved by a majority vote of the citizens.

[Anchorless]

Good info. Thanks!