Fantasy Light Rail Map (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: transfer, calculated, vs)

[I_Like_Spam]

Even a dedicated right of way doesn't mean you can't have traffic.

LRT vehicles sometimes break down, and they back up behind it, especially during rush hours when lots of cars are out there.


They can also back up due to heavy traffic. Back in the late 80's, I lived out off of 51, rode the bus into the city through the South Hills Streetcar tunnel which backed up with buses and LRT cars at times.

[I_Like_Spam]

I think a lot of people fantasize about a large rail system like they have in New York. They fail to understand that Pittsburgh is a very different place. Manhattan is very dense, with a resident population of more than 5 times Pittsburgh in a lot less space. Not to mention many more visitors, tourists and other coming through the city every day of the year.

Cities have to have a lot denser population than Pittsburgh to make such a system the least bit viable.

[krogerDisco]

Sounds like Peduto is taking a gamble and backing off from pursuing an expansion of the T with the hopes it will become obsolete and most people will take (hopefully cheap) autonomous cars. The cars themselves will probably be expensive so Uber and maybe Lyft will have to provide affordable access.

I just hope Peduto is not putting any expansion of the T on hold. The hope of autonomous cars might be viewed in the future just like the huge mistake made with the past inaction and distraction of Skybus.

[MountainDewGuy]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

I think a lot of people fantasize about a large rail system like they have in New York. They fail to understand that Pittsburgh is a very different place. Manhattan is very dense, with a resident population of more than 5 times Pittsburgh in a lot less space. Not to mention many more visitors, tourists and other coming through the city every day of the year.

Cities have to have a lot denser population than Pittsburgh to make such a system the least bit viable.

Which is why some of us are proponents of extending the T through the densest parts of the city, like into Oakland and the Northside. The original plan was to extend the Northshore track into the Northside neighborhood, where it is very dense. That's part of the reason why the money was given from the federal government to build the tunnel. But once everything was approved, the Rooney/Pirates line was kept while the part that was to go into the Northside neighborhood where people actually live and could use it to get to work, was nixed. Amazing. Part of me wonders if that was the plan all along. Get the Rooney's their tax payer funded welfare to go along with the stadium, but not for the regular folks. And part of me wonders if it is just plain old fashioned racism to limit the folks who can ride it. Once into the Northside, it connects 'those people' with folks in the South Hills.

[MountainDewGuy]

Originally Posted by krogerDisco

Sounds like Peduto is taking a gamble and backing off from pursuing an expansion of the T with the hopes it will become obsolete and most people will take (hopefully cheap) autonomous cars. The cars themselves will probably be expensive so Uber and maybe Lyft will have to provide affordable access.

I just hope Peduto is not putting any expansion of the T on hold. The hope of autonomous cars might be viewed in the future just like the huge mistake made with the past inaction and distraction of Skybus.

Peduto knows the T isn't going to become obsolete. And anyone with common sense should realize that as well. I have heard him admit that a more extensive rail line would be better, but as a politician he will not put himself on the line and ask people to pay for it.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by MountainDewGuy

Which is why some of us are proponents of extending the T through the densest parts of the city, like into Oakland and the Northside. The original plan was to extend the Northshore track into the Northside neighborhood, where it is very dense. That's part of the reason why the money was given from the federal government to build the tunnel. But once everything was approved, the Rooney/Pirates line was kept while the part that was to go into the Northside neighborhood where people actually live and could use it to get to work, was nixed. Amazing. Part of me wonders if that was the plan all along. Get the Rooney's their tax payer funded welfare to go along with the stadium, but not for the regular folks. And part of me wonders if it is just plain old fashioned racism to limit the folks who can ride it. Once into the Northside, it connects 'those people' with folks in the South Hills.

Wow. Now the race card is played on the rail system.

As I recall, Rivers Casino and the Rooney's donated large $$$ so that the trip would be free. Nutting refused to donate anything. Then it was decided the Rooney's should pay more and rather than being extorted they told the powers that be that they'll give nothing.

Don't forget, Pitt Football and many other events take place at both venues.

[MountainDewGuy]

Originally Posted by erieguy

Wow. Now the race card is played on the rail system.

As I recall, Rivers Casino and the Rooney's donated large $$$ so that the trip would be free. Nutting refused to donate anything. Then it was decided the Rooney's should pay more and rather than being extorted they told the powers that be that they'll give nothing.

Don't forget, Pitt Football and many other events take place at both venues.

Yep. The race card. I know you hate that, but it just might be true.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by MountainDewGuy

Yep. The race card. I know you hate that, but it just might be true.

I don't hate it. It's just ridiculous to think that the race card is played every time certain/same posters have issue with something that doesn't benefit them.

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by MountainDewGuy

Yep. The race card. I know you hate that, but it just might be true.

And aliens might have built the pyramids but it still sounds foolish when stating it...

[krogerDisco]

A saw this ranking of public transit systems.

Top 25 American Cities With the Best Public Transit

Pittsburgh No. 8? Ahead of Philly and Minneapolis?

Peduto has expressed lessened interest in expanding the T, betting on a future of autonomous vehicles. Scary bet if he's wrong. I'd still press forward with the tried and true.