New train to connect downtown Miami to downtown Ft. L? (Aventura: neighborhoods, live in)

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by hurricaneMan1992

To me, the reason for mass transit is not because we're going to run out of oil and our cars are not going to have anymore gas to run (we'll eventually switch over to what is now considered "alternative" energy), but because we could never build enough roads (and parking) to keep up with our growth rate. We have a finite land area to develop, and a finite fraction of that land area to dedicate to roads. Either we are going to have continuous suburbs from Weston to Naples (which would be sad), or we're going to need mass transit.

Indeed brother, indeed! However, we live in a different America now. We had a good 3 decade run. Where people lived above their means and bought non sense without even thinking about it. That day is over. Some of us won't be getting new cars because our economics will not allow us too. So I agree with you 100% but at the same time, many of us are going to choose mass transit out of need, and not out of choice.


***MOD CUT***

Originally Posted by miamiworshipper

Mass transport is at best,an unavoidable evil...

Normal people do not want to be transported standing up,as it happens with animals...
Very few find a vacant seat for the duration of their trip.

Normal people do not want to smell the odours of strangers.

Normal people do not want to be infected by other people's viruses,whom they forcefully inhale..
Viruses which cause illness ( common flu) even death ( Asian flu,TB.)

Normal people do not like to be insulted,offended,threatened,harrassed,
as it regularly happens in MT...

Generally,.normal people have an ideology in favour of posession of property,convenience,luxury.

The abnormal people who advocate MT are socialists,regular or green...( "environmentalists"....)

I HOPE and pray your not serious. If you are, all I can say is, my God :S

[checkmatechamp13]

Originally Posted by hurricaneMan1992

To me, the reason for mass transit is not because we're going to run out of oil and our cars are not going to have anymore gas to run (we'll eventually switch over to what is now considered "alternative" energy), but because we could never build enough roads (and parking) to keep up with our growth rate. We have a finite land area to develop, and a finite fraction of that land area to dedicate to roads. Either we are going to have continuous suburbs from Weston to Naples (which would be sad), or we're going to need mass transit.

Very true. The disadvantage of cars is that everywhere you go, you need a place to park them.

The thing is that public transportation reduces the number of people killed in accidents, as the operators are more skilled than car drivers. Plus, the fact that other people are driving makes it easier to transport children and the elderly.

Originally Posted by miamiworshipper

Normal people do not want to be transported standing up,as it happens with animals...
Very few find a vacant seat for the duration of their trip.

Like I said, there are many forms of public transportation where everybody gets a nice comfortable seat. On NYC's express buses, the guidelines are that the bus is considered full if there are any standees at all.

And like I said, those modes of transportation are generally nice and quiet and free of those disturbances.

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[tallrick]

The reason I want a train is that there was one here when Miami was a place to enjoy. Once Miami goes the way of Detroit and peak oil drives gasoline prices through the stratosphere, along with a dead dollar I expect people to leave Miami but tourism will still be in demand. A good train system would become a reliable way for snowbirds to come down to enjoy the winters here, or just enjoy the fruits and vegetables that will replace the shopping centers and condos. I can even see the day when a nuclear powered locomotive will replace the diesel ones and make train travel the cheapest way to get around. Of course, anti-gravity technology could revolutionize air travel but I do not expect any new major technological advances until the big government warfare state fails. The alternative is just not as nice.


Mad Max Road Warrior (Trailer) - YouTube

[Wild Style]

news about possible rail going from downtown Miami to downtown Fort Lauderdale

link

[hurricaneMan1992]

FDOT guy: "Until we know the details of ridership, and how we can move passengers and freight on those tracks, it's impossible to estimate what the costs will be."

Hmmm...have you ever heard FDOT say anything along the lines of: "Until we know the details of traffic volume, we should not proceed with highway expansion project X?"

Sounds like the same double standard they apply to crosswalks. Namely, they want to see a lot of people illegally jaywalking and preferably a few accidents, then they will do a study which will perhaps result in a crosswalk in the next 10 years.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by hurricaneMan1992

FDOT guy: "Until we know the details of ridership, and how we can move passengers and freight on those tracks, it's impossible to estimate what the costs will be."

Hmmm...have you ever heard FDOT say anything along the lines of: "Until we know the details of traffic volume, we should not proceed with highway expansion project X?"

Sounds like the same double standard they apply to crosswalks. Namely, they want to see a lot of people illegally jaywalking and preferably a few accidents, then they will do a study which will perhaps result in a crosswalk in the next 10 years.

Until the citizens start to understand how important mass transit is and start DEMANDING it, this will always be the case.

[popcorn247]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

Until the citizens start to understand how important mass transit is and start DEMANDING it, this will always be the case.

Very good point you made!

[citizen477]

Originally Posted by hurricaneMan1992

FDOT guy: "Until we know the details of ridership, and how we can move passengers and freight on those tracks, it's impossible to estimate what the costs will be."

Hmmm...have you ever heard FDOT say anything along the lines of: "Until we know the details of traffic volume, we should not proceed with highway expansion project X?"

Sounds like the same double standard they apply to crosswalks. Namely, they want to see a lot of people illegally jaywalking and preferably a few accidents, then they will do a study which will perhaps result in a crosswalk in the next 10 years.

Tallahassee has some truly anti-mass transit folks in the DOT. For them transportation means highways, highways, and more highways. We need a nice, balanced mix.

As a person who works with young people, I am observing this new trend, where they are not "into" cars as previous generations were. They are more into their iPhones and electronic gadgets. It's really an interesting thing to observe. There just isn't this rush to get drivers' licenses. That is a stark difference compared with my generation (the 30-40 somethings).

The point I am making is that car ownership is expensive and the freedom that it once promised only rings true when one is, perhaps, doing inter-city travel. However, for intra-city travel, it is increasingly costly, time-consuming and nerve-racking.

I am not suggesting that we do away with the personal automobiles entirely, as that will never happen. However, most Americans living in large metro areas can depend less on their cars for every-day trips. We do not have to rely so much on them like we do. I think I can safely say that up to 45% of Americans could leave their cars at home and take transit, bike or walk to work. I have a couple of friends who live less than two miles from their place of employment, and they still drive. It's just absolutely unnecessary to use a car for EVERY single trip.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by citizen477

Tallahassee has some truly anti-mass transit folks in the DOT. For them transportation means highways, highways, and more highways. We need a nice, balanced mix.

As a person who works with young people, I am observing this new trend, where they are not "into" cars as previous generations were. They are more into their iPhones and electronic gadgets. It's really an interesting thing to observe. There just isn't this rush to get drivers' licenses. That is a stark difference compared with my generation (the 30-40 somethings).

The point I am making is that car ownership is expensive and the freedom that it once promised only rings true when one is, perhaps, doing inter-city travel. However, for intra-city travel, it is increasingly costly, time-consuming and nerve-racking.

I am not suggesting that we do away with the personal automobiles entirely, as that will never happen. However, most Americans living in large metro areas can depend less on their cars for every-day trips. We do not have to rely so much on them like we do. I think I can safely say that up to 45% of Americans could leave their cars at home and take transit, bike or walk to work. I have a couple of friends who live less than two miles from their place of employment, and they still drive. It's just absolutely unnecessary to use a car for EVERY single trip.

How do the young kids you work with get around, and what is their opinion of mass transit?

[checkmatechamp13]

Originally Posted by citizen477

1) The point I am making is that car ownership is expensive and the freedom that it once promised only rings true when one is, perhaps, doing inter-city travel. However, for intra-city travel, it is increasingly costly, time-consuming and nerve-racking.

2) I am not suggesting that we do away with the personal automobiles entirely, as that will never happen. However, most Americans living in large metro areas can depend less on their cars for every-day trips. We do not have to rely so much on them like we do. I think I can safely say that up to 45% of Americans could leave their cars at home and take transit, bike or walk to work. I have a couple of friends who live less than two miles from their place of employment, and they still drive. It's just absolutely unnecessary to use a car for EVERY single trip.

1) Even then, you have private bus companies and Amtrak for inter-city travel.

2) The thing is that in many areas, transit is pretty crappy. You have buses that run every hour (or worse) and you have to transfer to another bus that also runs every hour to get to where you need to go. Even in NYC, which is known for its good mass transit, there are plenty of areas where it is much easier to drive.

Originally Posted by Wild Style

How do the young kids you work with get around, and what is their opinion of mass transit?

I know you aren't referring to me, but I live in a suburban part of NYC (though its character is similar to many Miami neighborhoods as far as density goes, but in NYC it's considered suburban), and most of my friends use transit (or a lot of walking) to get around, at least 2/3 of them. Many of their families own cars, but they are usually 1-car households so when their parents aren't home, they have to walk or use transit (I'm in that boat too)