Does anybody remember that rail system that we bought with our tax money? The coolness factor may have worn off by now, so maybe you've forgotten we have it. But then again, maybe you think about it everytime you're stuck in traffic on the freeways wishing you could have that extra lane to provide much-needed relief. Anyways, our "cool" toy train has hit victim number 50 in its 7 month brief life. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2678915 FanFest volunteer is 50th to hit MetroRail By RAD SALLEE Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle A visitor from Wisconsin, driving to Minute Maid Park with his daughter to work as volunteers at FanFest before the All-Star Game, became a Houston statistic today -- the 50th person involved in a collision with MetroRail. As outdoor diners watched at 12:20 p.m., the compact rental car turned left across the tracks from the southbound lanes of Main Street onto Texas Avenue, witnesses said. The driver, investment broker Bob Teofilo of Fond du Lac, Wis., agreed with their account. "My focus was on the baseball stadium and that's where I was headed," he said. "I saw the green light and no traffic oncoming, so we made a quick left turn. I never even saw the 'no left turn' sign." The southbound train clipped the car's left-rear fender. The impact ripped out the taillight, part of the fender and bumper and shattered the rear window. It also left a foot-long gash in a flexible panel that covers the front of the train. "He nailed me good, but fortunately the train is made with a round front end of rubber. I would have probably been crushed underneath, but we bounced off," Teofilo said. The stopped train blocked the track for about 20 minutes and more than a dozen passengers exited. Some spoke briefly with an ambulance crew, but Metro spokesman Ken Connaughton said no injuries were reported. Metro police cited Teofilo for making in illegal turn. Meanwhile, Harris County Hospital District spokesman John Martinez said that Robert Close, who was struck by MetroRail on Thursday and admitted to Ben Taub Hospital in critical condition, is now in fair condition. Witnesses said Close stepped onto the landscaped esplanade in the center of Main Street between Rusk and Walker downtown, and then stepped into the path of the northbound train.
My God, this reign of terror must end! These death boxes are endangering the safety of this city's youth. It is clear that the toy train is there for aesthetic appeal alone. It serves no useful transportation purpose. None. I have never used it and never will. Unless you live *very* close to it, it is worthless. Oh sure it was used during the SuperBowl. Well golly jeepers, that sure is handy. The one time in 20 years that we get the SuperBowl, it's great! Hardly worth the extraordinary investment needed to erect the "CrippleRail". What a ridiculous use of taxpayer funds -- funds which could have been better spent on roads! You know, what the other 99% of transportation users utilize! There is no rational argument for this train. NONE. It ripped up our streets for years, now while it is busy transporting almost-empty trains, it is striking cars and putting our populace in grave danger. The next time rail is up for vote in this city, please remember what a DISASTER "CrippleRail" has been. When will you Jetson futurama dreamers wake up and recognize that CrippleRail is an utter failure?
Maybe if people would obey street signs. I've driven downtown well over 25 times since the rail was put in and I've amazingly never hit one.
Are the futurama Jetson dreamers not going to attribute ANY blame to CrippleRail at all? Let me remind you that this is the FIFTIETH accident. This is a pattern, not an isolated event. Wake up.
Some guy rear-ended me the other day on the gulf freeway. I demand that we shut down all the highways.
It's not worth arguing... but the current MetroRail line runs on Main Street. Not on a freeway. It does not take up a lane which could be allocated to a freeway.
I am completely shocked that the fine citizens of Houston are not up in arms over the travesty that is Metro Hail Rail. The destruction of our splendid motoring lanes to create metro rail byways is a thinly veiled attempt at Frenchifying our all American city. The solitary purpose of this hot wheels toy set for adults is to impress the random East Coast liberal tourist that rolls through town. Few true money making businessmen will ever step foot on this albatross. Time is money my friends and a true capitalist understands the fine line between success and failure. This Death Cab for Cutie rail system is hardly worth the multiple billions of dollars it will end up costing. Once again upstanding taxpayers are forced to foot the bill for the misplaced motives of tree hugging liberal dimwits who think they are saving the world. Hmmmm, let's see the Frenchies have few roads, massive traffic jams, and a stagnate economy – please let's do whatever possible to FrenchiFry our marvelous city in such a manner. The writing is on the wall folks and it's written with the blood of the lastest MURDER RAIL victim.
More than a dozen passengers? No one is riding that thing. Not even on the day of the ALL-STAR GAME. It would have been more cost effective to individually purchase stretch Hummer limo's for each of them to get downtown.
I'm just relieved to know that the staggering drunk who was hit by the train a few days ago was neither tj nor texx.
Sorry texxxxxxxx and Trader_Enrique.... I still see ALL FAULT on the part of the illegal LEFT turn ARTISTS!!! You have no RIGHT to call yourselves REALISTS. Oh, wait..... that's it.... CONSPIRACY!!! All the LEFT TURNS are illegal, and the RIGHT ones are lega... oh, wait. I have no argument here. Carry on. What part of "no left turn" don't morons get?
Bullsh*t. I've taken it maybe 20 times from Fannin South to the Preston Street station. I've taken light rail for Astros and Rockets games, the Art Car fest, the Continental Club, and for just going out partying on a Friday or Saturday night. I have even used it on dates. Each and every time I have taken it, at all hours day and night, there have been at least 30 people on the train. To say that no one is riding light rail proves that you do not know what you are talking about on this subject. Again.
I don't live in Houston but my aunt does and uses the train on a weekly basis and at different times and says it is used by many people and a lot of the time it is SRO.
At times, I've wondered whether some here post for the sake of inflamming. I feel embarrassed that it took me so long to determine the obvious truth. ... and isn't that the definition of a troll?
So, yet one more idiot who doesn't know how to read road signs IS AT FAULT AND CITED FOR AN ILLEGAL TURN. Said idiot got hit by a train and HOW exactly is that the fault of Metro? It isn't, except to rabid anti-rail activists. Wake up, texx.
