Comments on: Light Rail’s American Moment http://goodspeedupdate.com/2007/2129 Rob Goodspeed's blog Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:37:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: BRT vs. Light Rail: Urban Transit Debate Plays Out | TheCityFix DC http://goodspeedupdate.com/2007/2129/comment-page-1#comment-550143 BRT vs. Light Rail: Urban Transit Debate Plays Out | TheCityFix DC Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:01:41 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/?p=2129#comment-550143 [...] 6-3 to support a LRT alternative over BRT for the CCT. Their preference for light rail echoes the growing trend of light rail projects nationwide. They also supported two reversible toll lanes that would be free for buses, carpools and van [...] [...] 6-3 to support a LRT alternative over BRT for the CCT. Their preference for light rail echoes the growing trend of light rail projects nationwide. They also supported two reversible toll lanes that would be free for buses, carpools and van [...]

]]> By: Marcel http://goodspeedupdate.com/2007/2129/comment-page-1#comment-379027 Marcel Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:37:26 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/?p=2129#comment-379027 As a Dutchman living in England (where transport in both countries is quite good) with relations in the States, I applaud the efforts to build and expand light rail/transit systems in the United States. Perhaps the Americans are coming to realize the vast benefits of dynamic public transport. With Obama at the helm (soon), perhaps the American government will finally provide the necessary financial support for mass transit across the US. As a Dutchman living in England (where transport in both countries is quite good) with relations in the States, I applaud the efforts to build and expand light rail/transit systems in the United States. Perhaps the Americans are coming to realize the vast benefits of dynamic public transport. With Obama at the helm (soon), perhaps the American government will finally provide the necessary financial support for mass transit across the US.

]]> By: Kelly http://goodspeedupdate.com/2007/2129/comment-page-1#comment-78628 Kelly Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:21:14 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/?p=2129#comment-78628 In Arizona we are ready for our Light Rail system. I personally can't wait. Love your blog!! And Basil, I used to live in Kansas City before Phoenix, AZ... and the counsel always seems to shoot themselves in the foot there! It would have been nice if they would have had a Light Rail system from the Center to Westport to the casinos and also connecting the airport at least!! That would have given them a revenue boost!! In Arizona we are ready for our Light Rail system. I personally can’t wait. Love your blog!!

And Basil, I used to live in Kansas City before Phoenix, AZ… and the counsel always seems to shoot themselves in the foot there! It would have been nice if they would have had a Light Rail system from the Center to Westport to the casinos and also connecting the airport at least!! That would have given them a revenue boost!!

]]> By: Taking the Train in Dallas - The Goodspeed Update http://goodspeedupdate.com/2007/2129/comment-page-1#comment-73545 Taking the Train in Dallas - The Goodspeed Update Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:26:12 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/?p=2129#comment-73545 [...] the surprising findings from my ULI research was the city’s extensive light rail system. My previous post on Light Rail in unlikely cities neglected to mention Dallas. After a transportation planning [...] [...] the surprising findings from my ULI research was the city’s extensive light rail system. My previous post on Light Rail in unlikely cities neglected to mention Dallas. After a transportation planning [...]

]]> By: Fixing America’s Federal Transportation Policy - The Goodspeed Update http://goodspeedupdate.com/2007/2129/comment-page-1#comment-70019 Fixing America’s Federal Transportation Policy - The Goodspeed Update Sat, 15 Mar 2008 01:44:59 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/?p=2129#comment-70019 [...] alleviate congestion but generate new traffic and urban sprawl, and for the first time cities are pouring billions into modern public transportation [...] [...] alleviate congestion but generate new traffic and urban sprawl, and for the first time cities are pouring billions into modern public transportation [...]

]]> By: Basil http://goodspeedupdate.com/2007/2129/comment-page-1#comment-55614 Basil Sun, 23 Dec 2007 16:23:03 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/?p=2129#comment-55614 I live in Kansas and needless to say I am disappointed that even though we have voted for light rail our city council has torpedoed the project for now. I wish we had the planning and forethought of Denver or Charlotte, or even Saint Louis when it come to transit alternatives. It is clear that cities with good mass transit are more progressive, and good transit systems spur development. I live in Kansas and needless to say I am disappointed that even though we have voted for light rail our city council has torpedoed the project for now.

I wish we had the planning and forethought of Denver or Charlotte, or even Saint Louis when it come to transit alternatives.

It is clear that cities with good mass transit are more progressive, and good transit systems spur development.

]]> By: Nick Bastian http://goodspeedupdate.com/2007/2129/comment-page-1#comment-48323 Nick Bastian Wed, 07 Nov 2007 04:14:06 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/?p=2129#comment-48323 Just 415 days until Light Rail begins running in AZ! :-) Just 415 days until Light Rail begins running in AZ! :-)

]]> By: Richard Layman http://goodspeedupdate.com/2007/2129/comment-page-1#comment-41540 Richard Layman Sun, 16 Sep 2007 12:13:56 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/?p=2129#comment-41540 subways = speed, but so do dedicated lines (i.e., like in Brooklyn) subways = speed, but so do dedicated lines (i.e., like in Brooklyn)

]]> By: DC1974 http://goodspeedupdate.com/2007/2129/comment-page-1#comment-39662 DC1974 Sun, 26 Aug 2007 02:09:40 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/?p=2129#comment-39662 Except who likes subways? I mean really. Perhaps I've just lived in too many places that had surface transit -- Chicago, San Francisco -- but being underground totally disconnects you from the place. And SF has proper has the most used system in the country if you look at riders specifically for the city and county of SF. I don't know why people get so excited about the metro. I think it's very pretty but is not usable to get anywhere that people work or live. And so it fails at that. The real sign is what are the off peak numbers. How crowded is the system on a Saturday. And I don't see it. Except who likes subways? I mean really. Perhaps I’ve just lived in too many places that had surface transit — Chicago, San Francisco — but being underground totally disconnects you from the place. And SF has proper has the most used system in the country if you look at riders specifically for the city and county of SF. I don’t know why people get so excited about the metro. I think it’s very pretty but is not usable to get anywhere that people work or live. And so it fails at that. The real sign is what are the off peak numbers. How crowded is the system on a Saturday. And I don’t see it.

]]> By: Pantograph Trolleypole http://goodspeedupdate.com/2007/2129/comment-page-1#comment-38212 Pantograph Trolleypole Sat, 11 Aug 2007 00:57:51 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/?p=2129#comment-38212 In response to Richard's comments on the numbers, Utah and Dallas only have two lines each. Utah has plans for four new lines and Dallas has two under construction. Portland gets 102,000 riders a day. That's small compared to the Metro in Washington (206 Miles, 900,000 riders q1 07), but they have 4 light rail lines and a streetcar (97 Miles) instead of all heavy rail. As Richard says, its all about compact development and density but in order to serve it you have to pay for it. Subway tunnels like DC's aren't being built today because of their expense. You get what you pay for. In response to Richard’s comments on the numbers, Utah and Dallas only have two lines each. Utah has plans for four new lines and Dallas has two under construction. Portland gets 102,000 riders a day. That’s small compared to the Metro in Washington (206 Miles, 900,000 riders q1 07), but they have 4 light rail lines and a streetcar (97 Miles) instead of all heavy rail. As Richard says, its all about compact development and density but in order to serve it you have to pay for it. Subway tunnels like DC’s aren’t being built today because of their expense. You get what you pay for.

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