does your city have a 'light rail' system?

[ElFenix]

it's an expensive trolley that runs in the streets and can make the streetlights change for it (which causes horrendous traffic near the trolley tracks).

we've got it here in houston.

it was just put in a few years back.

there is only one line.

it really doesn't go anywhere.

i consider it a giant waste of money when i see things like kuala lumpur's system (which is fully automated and does not run in the streets).

 

[AreaCode707]

Seattle's working on it. Won't go anywhere particularly useful for another couple of years.

 

[ThePresence]

I no longer live in the city.
But when I did, no.
NYC got a hell of a subway though!

 

[Kelemvor]

No but the local politicians are all set on building one even though everyone I've ever seen interviewed says they'd never use it.

 

[FleshLight]

Yep, the Gold Line.

 

[Pepsi90919]

toronto has streetcars and subways and underground paths and things.

 

[MrPickins]

Luckily it keeps getting voted down here in Austin.

This city is too spread out for it to make a difference (other than on the bottom line).

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
toronto has streetcars and subways and underground paths and things.

Those streetcars make downtown look ridiculous with all those wires hanging all over the place.

 

[K1052]

At grade mass transit systems in modern cities are the height of stupidity and impractical most US cities.

 

[RossMAN]

Affirmative: http://www.portlandmall.org/

 

[RU482]

Iowa City-Cedar Rapids Light rail boondogle is in the works

 

[paulney]

San Jose has one, and the ridership has increased quite significantly in recent years, as they have expanded the line.
Unfortunately due to very expensive land and everyone being up in arms about light rail going through their backyards, it makes a huge loop by using old railway corridors. So, it takes you an hour to get from one point to another, while driving a car would take 15 minutes.

I, personally, used it on quite a few occasions, and sometimes still do, when they declare a 'spare the air' day. But I can't turn it into my daily commute: can't wast 1:15 instead of 15 minutes every day, each way.

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: K1052
At grade mass transit systems in modern cities are the height of stupidity and impractical most US cities.

Chicago's 'El' line is very practical and effective. It is not 'at grade' I couldn't imagine waiting on a train to cross in the loop, there'd be riots.

Then again, we are the 'city of broad shoulders' the rail line hub of the U.S. so maybe we could deal... I doubt it though.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: K1052
At grade mass transit systems in modern cities are the height of stupidity and impractical most US cities.

i agree. i'm all for rapid transit, but this light rail stuff just doesn't seem to make any sense. the system we put in pretty much costs as much as a proper elevated line.

the politicians seem to love these things though. i wonder how much siemens is paying them?

 

[1sikbITCH]

We have one in Baltimore, and actually it is very good for some people who live outside of the city to get downtown without having to ride the buses. It used to take an hour to get from Hunt Valley to downtown waiting for several different buses along the way. Same thing coming from BWI Airport. The Light Rail gets you downtown in about 20 minutes, and it's a lot quicker to and from BWI as well.

 

[Slew Foot]

We have one in Sacramento, but I think only poor people use it.

 

[Tiamat]

Got the country's oldest light rail system. It is very useful.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: K1052
At grade mass transit systems in modern cities are the height of stupidity and impractical most US cities.

Chicago's 'El' line is very practical and effective. It is not 'at grade' I couldn't imagine waiting on a train to cross in the loop, there'd be riots.

Then again, we are the 'city of broad shoulders' the rail line hub of the U.S. so maybe we could deal... I doubt it though.

It would be burned to ashes within 20 minutes of going online by mobs of VERY angry Chicago drivers.

The EL lines/subways and commuter rail systems do work pretty well, though I do have my issues with the CTA.

 

[Vic]

Yes. We (Portland) built the first modern light rail in 1986. There is currently 3 lines in operation extending 45 miles of track, another 6.5 miles under construction, and another ~10 miles in the planning stages. It's quite useful and has actually done a lot for the city. I took it just a couple of weeks ago when I went to the auto show.

 

[SSP]

Originally posted by: ThePresence

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
toronto has streetcars and subways and underground paths and things.

Those streetcars make downtown look ridiculous with all those wires hanging all over the place.

Yes, but its such a smooth ride.

Theres also a light RT that connects to the subway system, but it run on its own tracks away from the streets (unlike the ones I've seen where they run along normal traffic).

 

[1sikbITCH]

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
We have one in Sacramento, but I think only poor people use it.

Not here. During the week, the Light Rail is full of suits who leave the car at the Park and Ride and avoid the traffic jams. 83 sucks.

 

[Indolent]

the Twin Cities does. Haven't used it though. It's pretty good if you live in the right areas. Would be better if it connected to the suburbs though.

 

[paulney]

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
We have one in Sacramento, but I think only poor people use it.

Don't think so. I've seen the cars full of people while sitting stuck in traffic on 80.

 

[HamSupLo]

i just rode the Gold Line in LA, jam packed during rush hour, so i guess it's doing some good

 

[Oil]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
it's an expensive trolley that runs in the streets and can make the streetlights change for it (which causes horrendous traffic near the trolley tracks).

we've got it here in houston.

it was just put in a few years back.

there is only one line.

it really doesn't go anywhere.

i consider it a giant waste of money when i see things like kuala lumpur's system (which is fully automated and does not run in the streets).

Yep, the light rail system in Houston is very pathetic