Will Detroit ever build a subway line? Just one? Like ever? (bus, trains)

[KoNgFooCj]

Do you see this happening in your grandkids lifetimes?

[ram2]

No.

[mjlo]

Michigan for all of its beauty has a state government that is notorious for being unable to get out of its own way. They won’t even pony up the $2billion needed to bring the roads back to standard. There’s is no evidence they could justify what would likely be several times that much money to implement an HRT system in “not as dense as it used to be” Detroit.

[KoNgFooCj]

Originally Posted by ram2

No.

Yeah. Rail is so 20th century. Cars are the way of the future.

[mjlo]

Originally Posted by KoNgFooCj

Yeah. Rail is so 20th century. Cars are the way of the future.

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.

[Veritas Vincit]

I somehow doubt it. Subways are expensive to build and the Detroit metro isn’t exactly exploding population-wise.

A certain demographic is clamoring for rail systems, but in practice expanded bus services would likely be a lot more sensible and useful even if its not as “sexy”.

[bus man]

Detroit still has a population large enough to justify a subway system. The problem is, the population has been declining for years. From a peak of 1.8 million in 1950 (when a subway system would have easily been justifiable), it's down to under 700,000 and still dropping. If the decline leveled off right now, maybe I'd say that a subway might make sense. Maybe. But why build one now, before things bottom out and stabilize? (If they ever do.)

[Indentured Servant]

The real question is whether or not subways and trains are the way to go for future urban planning, giving the advances in autonomous travel and driver-less vehicles. Detroit might be at an advantage in not being tied to those modes now. I think in the next 50 years, transportation will be radically changed in America, as well as how we commute in an information age (telecommuting). So many things will change and rail is the old way.

[KoNgFooCj]

Originally Posted by bus man

From a peak of 1.8 million in 1950 (when a subway system would have easily been justifiable)

And unfortunately when thanks to the auto industry, there was the least chance of it happening. Why didn't they build a subway or elevated line in the early 1900s. By 1915 Detroit was already the 4th largest city in the country behind 3 cities that all had started on rapid transit. Even Boston, the city it knocked out of 4th place had heavy rail.

Do you think the auto industry plotted against rail in Detroit that early on or were there other factors at play?

[ram2]

Originally Posted by KoNgFooCj

Yeah. Rail is so 20th century. Cars are the way of the future.

Everyone is Detroit is standing in line waiting for those old streetcars.