Will Detroit ever build a subway line? Just one? Like ever? (Ann Arbor: car insurance, mover)

[TheProf]

Originally Posted by lynnc99

Nope.

Need a ride? Get a car.

That's the deeply ingrained ethic of metro Detroit.

Shoot, we don't even have any kind of organized airport shuttle system.

Sad to admit it, but I'm afraid you're right. And this "ingrained ethic" toward cars and against rail transit, will hold Detroit back from its true potential as well as from the group of world class, or even national class, cities. Promoters of the City need to get real, stop pipe dreaming and rethink their stubborn short sided-ness. Detroit will never be great without rail rapid transit... period.

[Republic of Michigan]

Originally Posted by lynnc99

Nope.

Need a ride? Get a car.

That's the deeply ingrained ethic of metro Detroit.

Shoot, we don't even have any kind of organized airport shuttle system.

There is actually 2 bus systems. Airride which provides a 35 minute bus ride from the Airport to Ann Arbor for $12.

There is also the SMART Fast track bus line from the airport to downtown which takes around 1 hour for $2

That being said, Oakland County has a new Executive who is talking about exploring regional transportation.

I think that Metro Detroit could see some changes in this area in the near future.

[OyCrumbler]

Originally Posted by mjlo

It’s just not that simple. Cities that have heavy rail systems mostly started implementing them over 100 years ago. They are disproportionately more expensive to build in modern times. Most states and cities are too debt ridden and cash strapped to come anywhere near the level of capital they would need to raise for HRT these days.

This only applies to the US, as the vast majority of subway systems are less than 100 years old and it’s only the US that has exorbitantly high final capital construction costs.

[WILWRadio]

We must not allow a heavy commuter rail gap.

[MarlaKK]

Originally Posted by usroute10

Aren't you from an area that has built 3 rapid transit lines in the past 25 years and are building a 4th rail line, yet rail is the old way???

And how is it the old way too? What do they think is the new way? Teleporting?

[MarlaKK]

Originally Posted by mt90945557

Maybe once they get done painting bike lanes everywhere that nobody ever uses.

rotflmbo!!!
But thank you for this comment. Seriously. I mean....Lol. Shrinking the street down for....who knows. Lol.
Meanwhile folks that are parked on that street get their mirrors knocked off and cars scratched up. :^P

[MarlaKK]

Originally Posted by usroute10

Are buses outdated since far more people use cars than buses?

Are bicycles outdated since far more people use cars than bicycles?

Just because more people use cars doesn't mean building a rapid transit system wouldn't benefit the region and bring about the type of development you see around rapid transit stations in cities like Chicago and Atlanta.

I mean are they going to wait till the city grows up to almost/past 1 million to then do it?


Of course, that is IF the city ever does that again.
Imo, i believe there are people who actually want the city to stay low populated, but anyway.

[MarlaKK]

Originally Posted by Republic of Michigan

There is actually 2 bus systems. Airride which provides a 35 minute bus ride from the Airport to Ann Arbor for $12.

There is also the SMART Fast track bus line from the airport to downtown which takes around 1 hour for $2

That being said, Oakland County has a new Executive who is talking about exploring regional transportation.

I think that Metro Detroit could see some changes in this area in the near future.

Please. Bring that transit. So many companies want to hire you from Detroit to 'always tearing up i-75' Troy and these many other cities far from the city however a person can't make it there even if they do have a car but its too tore up to make it all the way there. Esp in the winter. That's why you have those couple of stories of folks from the city catching the bus and "walking" for miles to the job.

[Republic of Michigan]

If subway/metro lines were not advantageous, then New York, Paris, DC, and Montreal would discontinue their use of them.

People in Metro Detroit love duplication of government where you have hundreds of mayors, school boards, executives, etc for small city limits as opposed to consolidated governments. In addition, people in Metro Detroit don't get the big picture. Meaning, they don't look at what is good for its flagship city to attract development and business, but rather have a myopic view of property value tied to a name of a city they live within and do not wish to pay taxes for the larger picture - Detroit.

In fact, however, many people do not realize that they do pay for the zoo, the DIA, roads, and some tax dollars to the city. But when a metro system is put forward, you have people who just shoot it down and say for what. It is is a sad tale of many who have not had the experience in living in larger dynamic bustling cities and just don't get it. Hell, they can't even pave the roads they use. sigh.........

[Coldjensens]

Los Angeles subway system is pretty new. San Diego light rail is also fairly new. San Jose is newish.

I think it is still practical to build a system although subterranean systems are crazy expensive. Plus now people care about the people who die building them. In the old days - not so much. Harder to build one underground now.