With a population declining at the rate that Detroit's is, this absolutely doesn't make any sense. You can't have a light rail with out a business sector. Other than sporting events I really don't see many people using this light rail system. If we was talking about growing markets like Phoenix or Orlando, then it would make sense.
I have to admit this completely surprised me. It turns out there is a place where light rail is a worse idea than in Memphis. I wouldn't have believed it.
In Charlotte the Mayor is pushing to build a streetcar line (essentially a bus on rails) from downtown to the eastside ending at the Eastland Mall. Only problem is the Eastland Mall closed six months ago. Now there's talk of converting the Mall into a diverse shopping center (liberal speak for a Latin American Flea Market). Cost of the streetcar line.... between $500million and $1billion.
(10-14-2010 07:32 AM)moe24 Wrote: They just don't want to drive through all the blight on their way home from the downtown business district to their suburban homes.
(10-13-2010 11:43 PM)Claw Wrote: I have to admit this completely surprised me. It turns out there is a place where light rail is a worse idea than in Memphis. I wouldn't have believed it.
Try the proposed "East/West University Line" through Houston.
10-14-2010 08:19 AM
SumOfAllFears
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(10-13-2010 11:43 PM)Claw Wrote: I have to admit this completely surprised me. It turns out there is a place where light rail is a worse idea than in Memphis. I wouldn't have believed it.
Try the proposed "East/West University Line" through Houston.
Bill White slams Rick Perry for wanting to build the Trans-Texas Corridor. Bill White being responsible for the worthless Houston Metro Rail. Passengers only pay on the honor system. POS
(10-13-2010 11:39 PM)animus Wrote: With a population declining at the rate that Detroit's is, this absolutely doesn't make any sense. You can't have a light rail with out a business sector. Other than sporting events I really don't see many people using this light rail system. If we was talking about growing markets like Phoenix or Orlando, then it would make sense.
Ugh. No, light rail in Phoenix and Orlando are failures too. Just not as big.
(10-14-2010 07:32 AM)moe24 Wrote: They just don't want to drive through all the blight on their way home from the downtown business district to their suburban homes.
They're running it along the same street they'd take. That doesn't even work as an excuse.
(10-14-2010 07:32 AM)moe24 Wrote: They just don't want to drive through all the blight on their way home from the downtown business district to their suburban homes.
Who would?
True. I guess my point was that is their unspoken excuse for getting big government to spend big money on a bad idea.
Light rail construction nearly complete here in Norfolk. Cost is approaching $400 million. It goes from downtown Norfolk to the Virginia Beach city limit. In other words from nowhere to nowhere. It will require subsidies in current tax dollars forever. It doesn't go any where near the major employer in the area, the Naval Base complex. But all of the liberals are thrilled. Public transportation! Wheeee!
Norfolk used to have a light rail system, trolley cars specifically. It covered far more of the city than this new line but it was ripped up because it was a money loser with limited ridership. Ah yes, the good old days when rational thought was in vogue.
(10-14-2010 10:15 AM)Lord Stanley Wrote: Light rail is liberal porn.
+1
Coming from someone w/ your own talents and interests, that's a wonderfully candid and bold statement.
I am much more contrarian than I appear.....
I think a city could sell light rail if they described it for what it really is - a $1billion train to move people to and from sporting events (Mpls, Tampa and I am sure a dozen other cites)
Course, you could just build a 10 million dollar solid gold parking ramp staffed by hookers, but that don't gettem votes.
Cincinnati is installing a street car grid. Goes from Downtown, near GABP, hopefully over to the new to be built Harrahs Casino, through
Over the Rhine and up the hill near UC. More than likely it will lose money. I think our City Clowncil does stuff like this so they can brag
to their progressive pals around the Country or email the former Ivy League roomates, "we got a streetcar, we are hipper than you, look at how cool we are, were going green" and losing a ton of money. The city has massive unfunded pensions to pay for retired city employees.
