Lightrail in Richmond (live, move, light rail)

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by NJRAMAL

The answer to the long walks is like I mentioned in an earlier post, the stops would not simply be stops along the way but be transit hubs. Area buses would be routed to each BRT/LTR stop and serve the surrounding areas with a transfer and also offer park and ride lots. It wouldn't be a stop in the middle of the woods per say. So you take transit to your general area then transfer to a bus for your specific destination.

Anything can be achieved with adequate funding and agreement. This isn't a conversation regarding possibilities and solutions, it's about the counties not wanting buses or transit. They will not fund it. I don't see the city of Richmond being able to afford a new LR line down 64 much less a lot of additional infrastructure and new bus routes/shuttles.

What makes BRT more feasible along Broad is that it requires less $$$, promises a higher ridership/ROI, and can be easily upgraded to LR (if BRT ever approached capacity) assuming the BRT implementation included its own ROW. In fact, a 64 LR line doesn't even make sense IMO. The distances between stations are really more fit for commuter rail, and the setting of those stations is also more commuter rail-like; I'd imagine there'd be parking lots at most stations.

[AJNEOA]

richmondpics - I know your question wasn't targeted at me, but it got me thinking about how I'd like to see things rolled out. So, I put together a map with three phases:

Phase 1 - East/West BRT route from Rockett's Landing to Willow Lawn + bus route re-configurations
Phase 2 - North/South BRT route from Bellevue/Azalea Mall to Hull Street + bus route re-configurations
Phase 3 - Extension of Broad Street BRT route to Short Pump + basic feeder bus lines added for support and connecting job centers. Other infrastructure would be needed for this one as we know.

Note: All BRT lines are assumed to have dedicated ROW with traffic light technology. This would raise costs but I think success of these lines depends on it.

https://mapsengine.google.com/map/ed...I.ke8WgS5rkch0

In terms of timeframe, I would guess 2017 for Phase 1, 2022 for Phase 2, and 2025 for Phase 3. That's probably aggressive, but I'm trying to be optimistic.

Also, the main BRT line is less of a question to me, and the reconfiguration of the supporting bus connectors/lines are more complicated. I tried to build lines that would push people to BRT for longer distance travel, but still have the lines actually go meaningful places without having too much overlap. I'm sure someone from GRTC could school me on what gets ridership and what doesn't, but this is my best guess at a high level. Obviously, there are lines and service areas missing; I only aimed at the areas I thought were priorities.

[Octa]

Just stopping by to drop this:

In the District, a transportation planthat boosts transit and discourages driving - The Washington Post


Richmond has absolutely no long term plans for how it plans to handle its transportation infrastructure.

I also missed something that I do think I should address in regards to Short Pump. The corridor ranging from Short Pump to Rockets Landing could become an area of high density mixed used development if BRT or LRT spurred TOD. Downtown Richmond along Broad St is already dense being revitalized(thanks to VCU). As you go further west along Broad, it tones down until you read the parts along Broad St. that contain office parks where people work.

[pantin23]

^^ That is my whole idea behind LRT

[Octa]

Originally Posted by pantin23

^^ That is my whole idea behind LRT

Yeah. I could see the Short pump area becoming an edge city with the mixed use area around Whole Foods, but it has a long way to go.

[AJNEOA]

At least someone is reporting on the complete failure of the transfer plaza.

http://m.styleweekly.com/richmond/tr...nt?oid=2091831

The best note that the author makes is in regard to making service better to actually increase ridership. GRTC and the city have really done a great job to work against the revival of transit in the US here in Richmond.

[VA Yankee]

/\

It's ok at the rate the city is making on choosing a solution to the ball park it's possible that land may be available when the Squirrels leave....

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by VA Yankee

/\

It's ok at the rate the city is making on choosing a solution to the ball park it's possible that land may be available when the Squirrels leave....

The sad thing is that the ballpark/Squirrels, the Redskins camp, the World Cycling Championships, etc are all a bunch of gimmicks that do nothing to improve life in the city. I say let the Squirrels leave, put the money into the schools, work through new incentives to attract employers into the city, recognize slave history and foster a partnership with the black community to start planning for a walking museum in Shockoe Botoom, partner with GRTC to fix the bus routes and fast track a BRT route.

[Joke Insurance]

Originally Posted by AJNEOA

The sad thing is that the ballpark/Squirrels, the Redskins camp, the World Cycling Championships, etc are all a bunch of gimmicks that do nothing to improve life in the city. I say let the Squirrels leave, put the money into the schools, work through new incentives to attract employers into the city, recognize slave history and foster a partnership with the black community to start planning for a walking museum in Shockoe Botoom, partner with GRTC to fix the bus routes and fast track a BRT route.

I'm curious; what makes you so qualified to critique a fantasy thread like that? Are you a transportation engineer, public administrator, civil engineer, or urban planner?

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by Joke Insurance

I'm curious; what makes you so qualified to critique a fantasy thread like that? Are you a transportation engineer, public administrator, civil engineer, or urban planner?

I'm not sure what you mean. Explain to me how this is a fantasy thread. The OP asked if light rail would be implemented in Richmond anytime soon.

In any event, I'm no more qualified than the next person giving their opinion on City-Data. I suppose it helps that I'm a City or Richmond resident at least.

Perhaps you're more qualified?