Will Houston ever build a subway system? (Dallas, Galveston: train station, suburbs)

[texas7]

Sort of moot point isn't it as it would fill with water whenever we get a heavy rain.

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

i dont think so.
if you dont like being mugged in a parking lot why would u ride a subway?

I've never been mugged in Houston. Any rail would be more pleasant than Westheimer and SW traffic.

[Nairobi]

Originally Posted by apm193

I don't think Houstonians are naive. I think they're realistic. A subway would be massively expensive and the slight benefits it would produce would not merit the cost. Subways are really only for very dense cities where driving is impractical, and building at street level or at elevated levels are not feasible. Neither describes Houston. Driving (for most Houstonians) is the most practical way too get around. Its easy to find parking, and the roads are generally pretty good. Even though density in the loop seems to be increasing, nearly all new housing comes with parking. But even if Houston decided to build rail, it would not be underground. It would most likely be at street level or maybe elevated.

Atlanta has a subway, so heavy rail can absolutely work in low density cities. Houston doesn't have one because the opportunity escaped our imagination. That's all.

[OducksFTW!]

Originally Posted by apm193

I don't think Houstonians are naive. I think they're realistic. A subway would be massively expensive and the slight benefits it would produce would not merit the cost. Subways are really only for very dense cities where driving is impractical, and building at street level or at elevated levels are not feasible. Neither describes Houston. Driving (for most Houstonians) is the most practical way too get around. Its easy to find parking, and the roads are generally pretty good. Even though density in the loop seems to be increasing, nearly all new housing comes with parking. But even if Houston decided to build rail, it would not be underground. It would most likely be at street level or maybe elevated.

Have you driven in the loop? Especially down Richmond? or Kirby? 3rd/4th/5th Ward Those roads are horrific; and kirby/Richmond are supposed to be the "nicer" area of Houston.

I think what Metro is doing with light-rail is enough. Finish that and it will suffice.

Funny thing is people in Houston are going to be so amazed and delighted when they see club hoppers/theatre watchers/ Texans or Astros fans/UH or Rice students etc. etc. ride the light rail, its going to be some amazing treat for us Houstonian.

Although people in Chicago/NYC/LA/SF/Atlanta/Boston even Dallas etc. have been enjoying light-rail for decades now.

Oh well better late than never.. right?

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by OducksFTW!

Have you driven in the loop? Especially down Richmond? or Kirby? 3rd/4th/5th Ward Those roads are horrific; and kirby/Richmond are supposed to be the "nicer" area of Houston.

I think what Metro is doing with light-rail is enough. Finish that and it will suffice.

Funny thing is people in Houston are going to be so amazed and delighted when they see club hoppers/theatre watchers/ Texans or Astros fans/UH or Rice students etc. etc. ride the light rail, its going to be some amazing treat for us Houstonian.

Although people in Chicago/NYC/LA/SF/Atlanta/Boston even Dallas etc. have been enjoying light-rail for decades now.

Oh well better late than never.. right?

Kirby is fine now. They have finished construction on the Upper Kirby section.
The light rail is definitely not enough now. The Post Oak line is needed, I don't agree with its route but its needed.

[stoneclaw]

Originally Posted by apm193

I don't think Houstonians are naive. I think they're realistic. A subway would be massively expensive and the slight benefits it would produce would not merit the cost. Subways are really only for very dense cities where driving is impractical, and building at street level or at elevated levels are not feasible. Neither describes Houston. Driving (for most Houstonians) is the most practical way too get around. Its easy to find parking, and the roads are generally pretty good. Even though density in the loop seems to be increasing, nearly all new housing comes with parking. But even if Houston decided to build rail, it would not be underground. It would most likely be at street level or maybe elevated.

This is the mentality that Felt was talking about. There's always reason why things can't be done in Houston. Thanks for being the proof.

Dallas and Atlanta have the same densities as Houston and they both have a good portions of their rail lines going underground. It's funny that everyone says its not feasible to build subway in a city that built a 7.5 mile tunnel system in its downtown.

But this is not a new argument. I won't bore you or bore myself typing it.

Take care.



stoneclaw/C2H (ComingtoHouston)

[apm193]

Originally Posted by Nairobi

Atlanta has a subway, so heavy rail can absolutely work in low density cities. Houston doesn't have one because the opportunity escaped our imagination. That's all.

I'm not saying a subway would be impossible to build. I'm just saying it would be uneconomical considering the very high costs of building and maintaining a subway, the low demand for public transit in Houston, and the availability of other public transit options.

[bloodwings19]

No to subway, we are too spread out, but it is about time we get a commute rail. I am surprised we don't have that yet.

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by apm193

I'm not saying a subway would be impossible to build. I'm just saying it would be uneconomical considering the very high costs of building and maintaining a subway, the low demand for public transit in Houston, and the availability of other public transit options.

Nay-sayers said the same thing to MARTA after Houston denied the federal funds.

Originally Posted by bloodwings19

No to subway, we are too spread out, but it is about time we get a commute rail. I am surprised we don't have that yet.

Too spread out for subway yet you want commuter?

[Nairobi]

Originally Posted by apm193

I'm not saying a subway would be impossible to build. I'm just saying it would be uneconomical considering the very high costs of building and maintaining a subway, the low demand for public transit in Houston, and the availability of other public transit options.

In 2013, yes, it would be prohibitively expensive. That wasn't the case decades ago.