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I think something else that needs to be mentioned is that the triangle is somewhat unique in the number of extremely large employers. Duke and UNC both employ over 30,000 people on their main campuses and medical centers (that's employees, not students), and I believe the state govt in downtown raleigh employs over 40,000 people. Throw in around 9000 at NC State, and that gives you 110,000 people already employed at 4 stops along the proposed rail line.
Good point toot. I am not sure what Charlottes downtown employment density is, but their downtown is not very populated with residents. Interesting figures to consider though.
You realize there are thousands of people working at UNC who drive a park and ride (and sometimes have to pay for a parking spot) wait for a bus, then take a 10 minute bus ride (longer with traffic) onto campus and then either walk from there or take yet another bus to their office? There's a similar trend at duke, although not yet at the same scale. They seem to survive the painful process you describe. I suspect many would happily trade light rail for the 20 minute ride on a bus stuck in traffic on 54 every evening.
How much time would light rail shave off of that 10-20 minute bus ride, and why is it worth it to the tax payers?
I like how you ignored the first part of his response to you.
It's been addressed two or three times in this very thread, so no need to beat a dead horse to death. We simply disagree on the value to the masses of an extremely expensive proposition. If it was all sunshine and lollipops, as some are trying to imply, it would have already happened.
I am not sure if this was mentioned, but if you ride a train you can read a paper or start your day with your computer. Same thing with the ride home. That would be worth it as well.
I am not sure if this was mentioned, but if you ride a train you can read a paper or start your day with your computer. Same thing with the ride home. That would be worth it as well.
Definitely adds value. Arriving at work unstressed and getting home the same way has a lot to recommend it. I guess the rest is just logistics.
I am not sure if this was mentioned, but if you ride a train you can read a paper or start your day with your computer. Same thing with the ride home. That would be worth it as well.
Or sleep I definitely miss being able to take an afternoon nap on the bus when I used to have a bus-train commute. The train station was the last bus stop so I never had to worry about missing my stop haha.
And then you are stuck at work with no way to leave, other than repeating the painful process.
If you have an emergency situation, TTA has a ride home option so you're not "stuck" at work. Many employers that encourage use of public transportation also have this option available.
I think something else that needs to be mentioned is that the triangle is somewhat unique in the number of extremely large employers. Duke and UNC both employ over 30,000 people on their main campuses and medical centers (that's employees, not students), and I believe the state govt in downtown raleigh employs over 40,000 people. Throw in around 9000 at NC State, and that gives you 110,000 people already employed at 4 stops along the proposed rail line.
Wow, those are eyepopping stats tht state the case very powerfully for light rail in the Triangle.
If you have an emergency situation, TTA has a ride home option so you're not "stuck" at work. Many employers that encourage use of public transportation also have this option available.
And, I am no traffic expert, but I would expect the trains to run more than once each way every day. So you could, I don't know, take an earlier train if you need to get home.
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