Mesa residents and public transportation (Phoenix, Scottsdale: apartments, condos, home)

[Pink Jazz]

As many should know, Mesa is one of the most conservative suburbs in the Valley, second only to Gilbert. However, this brings up an interesting point - why do Mesa residents support mass transit, including light rail?

I know historically conservative cities are less likely to support public transportation, however, Mesa has the third most extensive transit network in the Valley behind Phoenix and Tempe, and that includes light rail. So why would Mesa voters vote for candidates in favor of mass transit, even though the candidates are still Republicans? In the last mayoral election, John Giles (a supporter of mass transit/light rail) defeated Danny Ray (an opponent of mass transit/light rail) by a landslide.

For comparison, Scottsdale is only moderately conservative, but strongly opposes light rail.

[Ztonyg]

The reasoning I've heard for Scottsdale's opposition to light rail as that they are afraid of the "elements" that would flock there if light rail was expanded.

With Scottsdale's extensive bar/nightlife district, light rail (or even a streetcar to Tempe) would be great. I just don't see it happening anytime soon.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by Ztonyg

With Scottsdale's extensive bar/nightlife district, light rail (or even a streetcar to Tempe) would be great. I just don't see it happening anytime soon.

I agree. There should at least be a line going from Chandler Fashion Center to Frank Lloyd Wright via Rural/Scottsdale Road. It should be known as the Brown Line IMO.

[cjseliga]

Originally Posted by Ztonyg

The reasoning I've heard for Scottsdale's opposition to light rail as that they are afraid of the "elements" that would flock there if light rail was expanded.

Couldn't the "elements" just use the already in place bus system if they really wanted to flock to Scottsdale?

[KurtAZ]

So Conservatives are against public transportation? I don't remember seeing that plank on the Republican platform. Interesting...

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

So Conservatives are against public transportation? I don't remember seeing that plank on the Republican platform. Interesting...

There are different flavors of conservatism. The Mormon Church has been strongly supportive of public transport in its home base of Salt Lake City and has shown similar support in Mesa. Business-oriented "chamber of commerce" types are also generally supportive. Tea partiers, libertarians, and other conservative factions tend to be more skeptical of public transit. In Scottsdale, public transit, especially light rail, has also become intertwined with the main political differentiator in that city's politics: density and development. The GOP faction that supports high-density development in Scottsdale is willing to talk about light rail; the faction that wants to keep Scottsdale more-or-less as it is today strongly opposes light rail.

[ScottsdaleMark]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

There are different flavors of conservatism. The Mormon Church has been strongly supportive of public transport in its home base of Salt Lake City and has shown similar support in Mesa. Business-oriented "chamber of commerce" types are also generally supportive. Tea partiers, libertarians, and other conservative factions tend to be more skeptical of public transit. In Scottsdale, public transit, especially light rail, has also become intertwined with the main political differentiator in that city's politics: density and development. The GOP faction that supports high-density development in Scottsdale is willing to talk about light rail; the faction that wants to keep Scottsdale more-or-less as it is today strongly opposes light rail.

Well stated. I don't think people in Scottsdale are under any illusion that people of all types can't or don't already access the city via bus, bicycle, foot and private vehicle. It's less a question of trying to keep people "out" of a massive city spanning 184 square miles, and more a question of, do you want to see more mid-rise buildings, condos/apartments, clubs, bars, etc., or do you want to limit further development and keep the city more suburban/single-family-home oriented? Millions of people of all sorts and types, from the local homeless to the international tourists, visit the city every year. That ship has sailed. Opposition to light rail is very much tied up in the neverending "development vs. preservation" dichotomy that seems to define city politics and every Council and Mayoral election.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

As many should know, Mesa is one of the most conservative suburbs in the Valley, second only to Gilbert. However, this brings up an interesting point - why do Mesa residents support mass transit, including light rail?

I know historically conservative cities are less likely to support public transportation, however, Mesa has the third most extensive transit network in the Valley behind Phoenix and Tempe, and that includes light rail. So why would Mesa voters vote for candidates in favor of mass transit, even though the candidates are still Republicans? In the last mayoral election, John Giles (a supporter of mass transit/light rail) defeated Danny Ray (an opponent of mass transit/light rail) by a landslide.

For comparison, Scottsdale is only moderately conservative, but strongly opposes light rail.

Doesn't Mesa have a higher poverty level and a lower-income population than other east valley suburbs?

People who fall in this category may not be able to afford a vehicle and are reliant on mass transit regardless of their political views.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by Ztonyg

The reasoning I've heard for Scottsdale's opposition to light rail as that they are afraid of the "elements" that would flock there if light rail was expanded.

With Scottsdale's extensive bar/nightlife district, light rail (or even a streetcar to Tempe) would be great. I just don't see it happening anytime soon.

Scottsdale's snooty opposition to light rail might come back to haunt them later on.

Maybe if a train was designed in the form of a Mercedes or Porsche, Scottsdale's plastic population might approve.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by cjseliga

Couldn't the "elements" just use the already in place bus system if they really wanted to flock to Scottsdale?

Viola, how true.

Perhaps this is something Scottsdale's light rail opponents didn't consider?