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Would BayLink be an extension of Metrorail or Metromover? Frankly, I think a Metromover extension may make the best sense because of its smaller size and ability to fit and turn in tight spaces, which S. Beach has plenty of.
The original plan was to extend Metrorail at least to South Beach then have other options for local mobility.
Metromover has been discussed as a option yet it is a two car train system that may not be able to handle the needed capacity even though it carries about 30,000 passengers a day throughout downtown Miami.
Although the South is known for being more auto-centric than the rest of the country, that's not to say that there isn't a hiearchy of transit services, whether heavy rail, light rail, and bus (both commuter and general). Atlanta's MARTA, Dallas' DART, SunRail in Florida, as well as light rail in Houston, Charlotte, and even streetcars in New Orleans shows that it isn't to say that Dixie is fully void of public transit.
My rough ranking:
1. Atlanta
2. Dallas
3. Miami
4. Houston
5. Charlotte
6. Tampa
7. New Orleans
8. Austin
9. Raleigh
10. Orlando
How is Orlando ranked below cities with no rail? It's a skimpy line but they do have one and also a very good centralized bus station.
Would BayLink be an extension of Metrorail or Metromover? Frankly, I think a Metromover extension may make the best sense because of its smaller size and ability to fit and turn in tight spaces, which S. Beach has plenty of.
People Mover capacity is not high, which could be one issue. It is also far more expensive, which is perhaps a bigger issue. And finally, it would have negative effect on the aesthetics, depending on the exact location. Lots of neighborhood NIMBYs usually fight against elevated trains ruining the views in their area, and I'm guessing SoBe would be no different. But yeah, all of this is conjecture, I haven't been around long enough to see what the actual pushback is (though probably $$$)
I think Metrorail would make a lot of sense if they can figure out the ROW. However last I heard they were exploring autonomous vehicle tech for this segment.
People Mover capacity is not high, which could be one issue. It is also far more expensive, which is perhaps a bigger issue. And finally, it would have negative effect on the aesthetics, depending on the exact location. Lots of neighborhood NIMBYs usually fight against elevated trains ruining the views in their area, and I'm guessing SoBe would be no different. But yeah, all of this is conjecture, I haven't been around long enough to see what the actual pushback is (though probably $$$)
I think Metrorail would make a lot of sense if they can figure out the ROW. However last I heard they were exploring autonomous vehicle tech for this segment.
Oh yeah, Metrorail would be the optimal system to extend to/through SoBe on all levels. But again, the great size of Metrorail trains and ROW (with standard-width rails), along with their much wider turning radius, would be a very tight fit in such a(n extremely) dense, small area. I realize Metromover has limited capacity, even with its 2-car trains. But I'm thinking it may be enough for the type of traveling people do to South Beach: it's largely visitors, and this group often trickles in/out rather than large waves. Yes, I suppose there are regular downtown Miami bound commuters, and this could raise capacity issues. But with MM's central train control, cars can be tightly spaced to handle bigger crowds -- as we see in Downtown Miami, esp during morning/evening rush.
Also in terms of visual concerns given that tunneling, in this part of the country is out given the sandy soils, it seems SoBe can utilize Chicago's 125+year idea of "alley elevated" trains. South Beach's alleys are tight (while Chicago's a generously wide), but ones like this could possibly accommodate an elevated MM line:
How is Orlando ranked below cities with no rail? It's a skimpy line but they do have one and also a very good centralized bus station.
General perception of the place, perhaps, and somewhat deserved, thanks to the endless sprawl.
That said, the more centralized areas (basically anything within close range of I-4 from N-S and 408 from W-E) are pretty well-served, with, as you mentioned, a very good, centralized bus station.
Sunrail, while only covering one line, is also somewhat decent, with that line covering 16 stations along 49 miles... I mean, you could live in Volusia County and work in Kissimmee with no issues. It's really not that bad. Some weekend service would be great though.
Although the South is known for being more auto-centric than the rest of the country, that's not to say that there isn't a hiearchy of transit services, whether heavy rail, light rail, and bus (both commuter and general). Atlanta's MARTA, Dallas' DART, SunRail in Florida, as well as light rail in Houston, Charlotte, and even streetcars in New Orleans shows that it isn't to say that Dixie is fully void of public transit.
My rough ranking:
1. Atlanta
2. Dallas
3. Miami
4. Houston
5. Charlotte
6. Tampa
7. New Orleans
8. Austin
9. Raleigh
10. Orlando
There is no mention of Nashville, as it has had commuter rail before some of the cities mentioned and is at the crossroads of several major interstates. Also noticeably absent is Baltimore.
There is no mention of Nashville, as it has had commuter rail before some of the cities mentioned and is at the crossroads of several major interstates. Also noticeably absent is Baltimore.
Sigh...you must be bored.
And if you're going to bait, then do it right and mention DC first and foremost.
Nashville just missed an opportunity to be top 3. Hopefully it still happens eventually.
I hope Nashville doesn't give up on rapid transit. Despite the 3-1 voter rejection, they were closer than one thinks. Yes the Koch brother anti-rail money hurt, but the sex/funds misuse scandal that forced her to resign months before the vote, really cost rapid transit a 'yes' vote as she was the initiative's author and biggest, most articulate champion. With her suddenly gone, a vacuum was created, and the Koch's stepped right in.
Nashville already established the Music City Star commuter rail, which locals are fighting to upgrade and expand. The city has the right attitude towards transit and, hopefully, it will stick with it and established a viable rail-bus system, not unlike the Lets Move initiative of 2018. Nashville has an interesting, compact walkable core for which transit can thrive.
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