Found this treasure online, shows the maps of all the rail propositions, some failed, some passed, none built. http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth246651/m1/10/
rail is a "me-too" strategy for Houston. We're not NYC. We're not Paris. Why try to copy their transit approach? Those cities were designed and built before cars were around. Houston's too spread out for rail to work on a large scale at a reasonable cost. A bus can go anywhere a train can, and there are ways to reduce the number of stops so it's fast. Much cheaper and a better solution for Houston.
I am not opposed to rail but our light rail is a waste of money. Fine get the lines that are being built done and add a few more so folks can move around the inner loop but let the private sector dictate commuter lines
Eh, pretty much every major city in the world has rail or has plans for rail. While capital costs are insane (especially in the States) a rail line carries much more people more efficiently than buses. And NYC and Paris have heavy rail, not light rail. Two totally different things. For the most part, Houston is too spread out for rail, but I think a rail line connecting downtown and Uptown going through Greenway would do well. Along with the existing Red Line which is an unquestionable success. Other than those few corridors, buses will generally do better, although A LOT can be done to improve our current bus system. Even before rail came along, our bus system is not up to par. I'm disappointed that METRO couldn't build the University and Uptown lines first, those would have been way more successful and had at least double the ridership the lines currently constructed will. Oh well. At least uptown is getting a BRT.
I love how the people that say "ride the bus" NEVER RIDE THE BUS THEMSELVES. Maybe if you rode around on Metro buses you would be clamoring for rail too. And, your theory is totally bogus. I went to Istanbul in January, a very spread out city, and they have a gargantuan rail system under construction.
Don't know if SRS, but... yes, I'm sure they will like low-income folks getting off the rail at their mansions. :grin:
This is another bogus theory. What are they going to do, break into their homes and run away on the train with flat screen tv's? A good thief is going to have a getaway vehicle.
Ok I'm glad to see your position on bus vs. rail has evolved over time. I'd love to see Houston break out of the "me-too rail strategy" to truly develop an innovative BRT (bus rapid transit) solution. I think it could achieve the objective of moving people around Houston, but for a much smarter price than rail. Limit the stops, make it look sharp, add some technology (e.g., time to next bus), make some creative "stations" and I think it could be a winner.
Rich peeps don't want some RAIL coming through their beautiful neighborhood, man... people will start to just wander around... no business being there, etc. you knew what I meant. They don't want us around there.
I've been riding the bus (park & ride and local) every day for almost 5 years and I think the bus system is, while not perfect, adequate for my needs. I just think a bus system gives you more options. Metro is constantly adjusting their bus routes. There are new updates 4 or 5 times a year. You can't adjust a rail route. Once it's there, it's there forever. I do think there are many things Metro can do to make their bus service better. Newer fleet Better upkeep GPS technology (track your bus via your phone) Phone app Metro has been saying they're going to do all this for a year. They were supposed to unveil a phone app with GPS tracking for their buses over a year ago. But so far....nothing.
BRT is great for many corridors. I'd like to see a BRT right down Westheimer Avenue, that's already a high ridership bus route. I'm still a staunch supporter of rail connecting employment centers. Ridership would be fantastic for the proposed University line. The current routes under construction will probably generate plenty of ridership, but I wish the more important line was built first.
BRT is ineffective. Where it's been installed, it's like a stepchild to rail. It is slightly better than buses, but within a few months/years, people clamor for rail. It's a fake train, but pollutes, moves, and sounds like a bus. Also, it's ability to carry people efficiently at a rate of time is nothing close to rail. The only thing cheap is the initial capital costs, and that's IF no tunnels or bridges are involved, in which case it's not cheaper than rail anymore. Again have you ever even ridden a good metro, BRT, or bus system? Our system sucks all the way around.
But the park and ride was made to shut out the average person who can't afford those fares. It is better than the regular bus routes, but all the p&r ridership combined is less than the 7.5 rail line we have. That speaks volumes.
I've been wanting light rail connecting say the NW transit center to DT and Galleria and one from Galleria to DT. Then give me commuter trains down the major hiways. As someone that lives close to Cypress and works by Galleria, using the bus would suck, not to mention if you had to return home in the morning for some reason, you can not do so on the bus.
