Local politicians want to engineer galleria bus rapid transit in a way that would NEVER allow rail

time for some harsh reality and facts.

Dallas just opened a rail line to DFW. You can now get from DFW to downtown Dallas in an hour. That is far longer than a bus would take, even at peak times.

Houston tried an express bus to IAH from downtown and it was a complete flop. It averaged 2-3 riders per trip.

Therefore, Houston should build a multi-billion dollar rail line to IAH?

 

So, moar bus service then to solve the traffic problems?

 

You are a bus proponent. Tell us, why did the express bus flop?

 

demand to the airport is simply not there

Buses do quite well at park and ride for commuters

 

That was your dumbass conclusion? lol

 

Apply your logic to NYC 5th Avenue or Chicago's Miracle Mile. Still work?
Virtually every major city in the world has transit going to their main shopping areas.

Besides, last time a checked, the Galleria had a Forever 21, LIDS and Reebok.

Save your stereotype that transit is only for poor people for somewhere else.

 

No... just wondering why instead of discussing actual solutions, people like to take a "stand" on the rail issue, as if its some polarizing political standpoint.

Its not (or at least it shouldn't be)... and Houston's traffic is getting exponentially worse despite the 100's of millions of dollars in freeway expansion.

And if you're going to argue against rail, you'll need something better than simply "more busses"... I think Houston needs everything, badly.

 

Why is demand to the airport not there? Are you suggesting people don't go to the airport?

 

people who want to ride trains to IAH are only a niche market, and one that can be served by buses: young singles who can't get a ride to/from the airport.

Business travelers will almost always rent a car or take a taxi.

Families won't schlep their luggage on transit.

Most others will have friends or family pick them up or drop them off....And our off-site airport parking is dirt cheap.

 

driverless cars are likely the future for Houston long term. 3x as much freeway capacity due to them

 

That's a post full of stereo-types formed in bias by somebody who has lived in Houston or Texas way too long.

Anyways, not sure why this became a "lets build rail to the airport" thread... its about more viable solutions to the ever-worsening traffic congestion issues that plague this sprawling city. Can't build enough roads or dedicated bus lines to solve it...

 

None of that logic holds true in other major cities that have established rail systems. You realize that, right?

Why are business travelers in Atlanta willing to take the MARTA downtown?

Why are families in London willing to schlep their luggage on transit?

 

business travelers on MARTA? LMAO I've lived in Atlanta, son. Plus ATL airport is much much closer than IAH to downtown

London as a comparison to Houston is pathetic. Totally different situation

 

LOL! "LOCAL" Politicians? WTF did you expect, for some FOREIGN or OUT-OF-STATE politicians to decide this? Bwwaaaaaahhahahaha

 

When you have to insult someone you have already lost.

Have you ever been to Beijing, London, or New York. Traffic is a nightmare. The train is more convenient.

 

Thanks for your antidotes.

Every major city in the world has rail most of which also goes to the airport. ...and guess what, people use it.

IMO, the last sentence from the article encapsulates the problem (and why you call the London comparison "totally different"):

""It is not about 30 years from now, it is about getting people to work today," he said."

 

superficial logic that does not work for Houston. You've got to learn to think deeper -- Houston deserves more than just a regurgitated "me too" strategy that doesn't make any sense for this town

 

Transit in Houston is 99% for very poor people. Houston is a car based city and it always will be until such point as the wealthy people move out (which will be quite some time). The NY and Chicago subways and rails are much different due to population density, the lack of car ownership in NY, and the commuter aspect of the Chicago trains. Houston is ultra-low population density and the train is not a commuter train. Therefore your comparison is completely invalid.

 

I insulted his idea, not him personally -- very big difference there.

NYC needs rail. Houston is not NYC -- that's laughable.

 

Agreed... just as long as the strategy doesn't begin and end with "more roads, more busses, and rail is the devil!".

That's been a losing strategy here for going on 30+ years... and in many ways, has pushed people more towards cars than ever (making traffic congestion intensified as soon as the latest $100 million dollar freeway expansion finishes).

The anti-rail people are just as crazy (in my mind) as the "rail will fix everything" crowd. Obviously, neither of you are right... and the solution likely lies in a multi-modal approach (that will need rail involvement, in some form).