The Green Line (Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnetonka: bus, train, stadium)

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by rogead

There are auto/train accidents anywhere in which the two conveyances share the roadway--this happens in major East coast cities, as well as in more recently-constructed transportation networks. Once people get used to the existence of train traffic; peaceful coexistence with automobiles, bicycles, and pedestrians will follow.

Given that the Green Line passes through several districts containing dense residential, institutional, and commercial activity; it was never expected to be a substitute for those traveling from one downtown to the other. It is meant as a means for people to easily travel segments of the full line. Having lived in Boston, with a highly-developed subway system (2nd oldest in The US), I never once utilized a train from end-point to end-point.

Minneapolis-St Paul is the twenty-third largest economy in the world: ranking just behind Hong Kong, and just ahead of Mumbai. Having a functional transportation network isn't about trying to be something we're not. Rather, it is about appreciating--and building upon-- the global metropolitan area we have become. I reject wannabe Tea Party obstructionists as neo-luddites, but likewise recognize the need for revitalization and connection.

Actually, it IS the oldest subway system in America, and while we all have complaints with it, it's pretty efficient, and quite extensive, running south (via commuter rail) to Providence, west to Worcester, and north to Lowell, near the NH border..

Congrats to MSP for developing a 2nd light-rail line. And while the expense was considerable, more and more people are going without cars, so this will serve a growing constituency..

[Thedosius]

Originally Posted by ropper111

So in summary of this thread (and I think I speak for all)

The gl....was a waste of money. Move on everyone nothing here to see

I highly doubt you speak for all on this one.

[Yosh01]

Congrats to MSP for developing a 2nd light-rail line. And while the expense was considerable, more and more people are going without cars, so this will serve a growing constituency..

I think a lot of people here are missing the key point. The discussion has not been about the need for mass transit, or even light rail. Nor, has it been about the need for economic development. I for one, and most of the people posting here seem to be supportive of better transit. The problem is the way this particular line was designed.

It goes down a not very busy corridor that was well served by buses. It only stops every half mile so it doesn't serve the locals whose bus service has been cut in half. At the same time it takes twice a long to go from city center to city center as the express bus which itself no longer runs as much. The bottom line is that this billion dollar rail line doesn't serve any constituency very well.

[Rhody2Mn]

Originally Posted by Yosh01

I think a lot of people here are missing the key point. The discussion has not been about the need for mass transit, or even light rail. Nor, has it been about the need for economic development. I for one, and most of the people posting here seem to be supportive of better transit. The problem is the way this particular line was designed.

It goes down a not very busy corridor that was well served by buses. It only stops every half mile so it doesn't serve the locals whose bus service has been cut in half. At the same time it takes twice a long to go from city center to city center as the express bus which itself no longer runs as much. The bottom line is that this billion dollar rail line doesn't serve any constituency very well.

^^This. Well said, Yosh01.

[emcee squared]

Originally Posted by Yosh01

I think a lot of people here are missing the key point. The discussion has not been about the need for mass transit, or even light rail. Nor, has it been about the need for economic development. I for one, and most of the people posting here seem to be supportive of better transit. The problem is the way this particular line was designed.

It goes down a not very busy corridor that was well served by buses. It only stops every half mile so it doesn't serve the locals whose bus service has been cut in half. At the same time it takes twice a long to go from city center to city center as the express bus which itself no longer runs as much. The bottom line is that this billion dollar rail line doesn't serve any constituency very well.

Are you saying there aren't enough stops or that they're too far apart? What do you want, a fast train with less stops, or a slow train with a stop every 1/10 mile?

[rogead]

Originally Posted by MassVt

Actually, it IS the oldest subway system in America, and while we all have complaints with it, it's pretty efficient, and quite extensive, running south (via commuter rail) to Providence, west to Worcester, and north to Lowell, near the NH border..

Congrats to MSP for developing a 2nd light-rail line. And while the expense was considerable, more and more people are going without cars, so this will serve a growing constituency..

Thanks for the correction. I didn't realize it had beaten NY to it--I'm guessing NY to be second then. I had also forgotten about the commuter lines, which add an entirely new dimension to the role Boston plays regionally.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by Yosh01

I think a lot of people here are missing the key point. The discussion has not been about the need for mass transit, or even light rail. Nor, has it been about the need for economic development. I for one, and most of the people posting here seem to be supportive of better transit. The problem is the way this particular line was designed.

It goes down a not very busy corridor that was well served by buses. It only stops every half mile so it doesn't serve the locals whose bus service has been cut in half. At the same time it takes twice a long to go from city center to city center as the express bus which itself no longer runs as much. The bottom line is that this billion dollar rail line doesn't serve any constituency very well.

If you have a mass transit system that stops every half-mile, then you have a pretty good system. You may argue about bus sevices that should have been left alone, and about the cost of a light-rail line, but you can't complain about " half-mile" distances between stops. That's nothing at all.

[uptown_urbanist]

I work along the University Corridor and I love the Green Line. I've been using it to commute to work this week and think it serves me very well. My company is happy with it, too, and now that we've survived construction we are very optimistic that it's going to mean great things for our staff and visitors. So far, for me, it sure beats the bus. And as far as complaining about distance between stops -- the 16 still runs, so you could always get onto one of those if you didn't want to walk the distance from station to a stop farther up the street. (for me, I got lucky; the Green Line is closer to my work than the previous 50 bus stop)

[emcee squared]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

I work along the University Corridor and I love the Green Line. I've been using it to commute to work this week and think it serves me very well. My company is happy with it, too, and now that we've survived construction we are very optimistic that it's going to mean great things for our staff and visitors. So far, for me, it sure beats the bus. And as far as complaining about distance between stops -- the 16 still runs, so you could always get onto one of those if you didn't want to walk the distance from station to a stop farther up the street. (for me, I got lucky; the Green Line is closer to my work than the previous 50 bus stop)

I know everyone isn't as thrilled, but it is great for me, as well. I had a Blue Line stop in the neighborhood, but is was about a mile walk and only took me downtown. Now, I can walk two minutes from my apartment and head to campus or to downtown.

Yay for the West Bank station.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

I work along the University Corridor and I love the Green Line. I've been using it to commute to work this week and think it serves me very well. My company is happy with it, too, and now that we've survived construction we are very optimistic that it's going to mean great things for our staff and visitors. So far, for me, it sure beats the bus. And as far as complaining about distance between stops -- the 16 still runs, so you could always get onto one of those if you didn't want to walk the distance from station to a stop farther up the street. (for me, I got lucky; the Green Line is closer to my work than the previous 50 bus stop)

Are the trains packed, with most people standing? That would be typical of most subway lines..