Two new Metro light rail lines are now open, has anybody checked them out yet ? (Houston: apartments, school)

[RedRat44]

I rode both on opening day. Smooth ride, nice, simple train interiors.
The things that stood out most were both related to the sharing of stations and tracks by the Green and Purple lines between Downtown and Dynamo Stadium (EaDo/Stadium station).
1) There is nothing on any train indicating a color. You have no way of knowing which train is coming unless you're watching the LED marquis as it approaches. I heard several folks who said they'd gotten on the wrong train and ended up somewhere else. With so many people staring down into their phones these days this will likely present a problem for many.
2) Although the trains have doors that open on both sides of the train, at the EaDo/Stadium station there is a boarding platform in the street and also one at the sidewalk, meaning on each side of the train. However, you can only board the Purple Line from the street platform and the Green from the sidewalk area platform. No one knew this and the crowd was getting a bit testy as the cops were telling everyone to go the other way but they weren't allowed to cross in the crosswalk in front of the train so that they could get to the other side and board, meaning we had to wait for the next train. No biggie, but there were no obvious signs indicating this.
So, as one Metro employee mentioned during the chaos, it's a work in progress and changes to address these obstacles might follow.

[geolvl]

I saw about 10 people on the one that drives down n main. What a waste of money. Barely anyone is using it and it hasn't improved the quality of life for the majority (not more than 1 percent) of Houstonians or improved the city's image. It looked like a glorified bus.

[Spade]

Originally Posted by geolvl

I saw about 10 people on the one that drives down n main. What a waste of money. Barely anyone is using it and it hasn't improved the quality of life for the majority (not more than 1 percent) of Houstonians or improved the city's image. It looked like a glorified bus.

It's one of the most used LRT systems in the country. The train anywhere will not be packed everytime.

[blkgiraffe]

Originally Posted by geolvl

I saw about 10 people on the one that drives down n main. What a waste of money. Barely anyone is using it and it hasn't improved the quality of life for the majority (not more than 1 percent) of Houstonians or improved the city's image. It looked like a glorified bus.

That's because those lines don't go anywhere. University and Uptown should have been the main priority. These two lines were just built thinking it would appease people.

[Jack Lance]

These two lines have been up and running for a couple of months now, any reviews ?

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by Jack Lance

These two lines have been up and running for a couple of months now, any reviews ?

I haven't ridden them myself, but a Chronicle article last week talked about how empty they were and how ridership lagged projections. Of course, the Purple line serves UH which is not in session at the moment, and the Green Line isn't complete all the way to the Magnolia TC. So, things will likely improve ridership-wise once those things change...but still, these lines serve low-density areas without major everyday destinations (UH aside). It shouldn't be surprising that they're not well-used right now. Their success in attracting riders will largely depend on adding dense development along them in the future.

[geolvl]

Baloney, how many students live in the area the trolley goes to? Not many.

[theone33]

does Houston plan on adding a bunch of stuff around UH/3rd ward by the rail?

[Svensk08]

Originally Posted by theone33

does Houston plan on adding a bunch of stuff around UH/3rd ward by the rail?

Be patient and don't give up-- it's going to take awhile before the area takes off. For starters, the new HISD High School for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement will soon start construction on Scott Street near I-45.

[geolvl]

I agree, straight down Westheimer, but all the way to Katy.