Light Rail

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Eli
Portland also has one of the best public transit systems in the US. You can get virtually anywhere on the bus/MAX here.

You guys also have a LOT of bike lanes. I was totally amazed at how many people (entire families) showed up on bikes for the July 4 fireworks the last time I was out there. You show up somewhere on a bike in Atlanta and people look at you like you're insane.

 

[Bulk Beef]

Morgantown, WV has a bitchin' monorail that NOBODY uses. What a waste.

 

[vi edit]

The DART train in Dublin, Ireland ruled.

Lets see...take a bus for 45 minutes to get from one part of town to another, or take the train and do it in 10. Hmmmmmmmm....

It was also nice because the train ran about 10 miles north and south of the city taking you to places that would have run you into triple digit cab fares.

If I was to be in living in that area, I'd take a train every chance I could over driving or busing.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: sward666
Morgantown, WV has a bitchin' monorail that NOBODY uses. What a waste.

Sounds familiar.

We had a monster accident (tanker exploded) a few years ago that nuked a big chunk of the I-285/GA400 interchange (this is one of the busiest in Atlanta). People were warned that there would be massive delays for a few weeks until they fixed it, so many tried out new means of getting to/from work. People rode bikes, took the MARTA trains and buses, carpooled, bought scooters, etc. Interestingly, gridlock was very minimal during this time and we had far fewer smog alerts than is typical for the summer.

Everyone commented on how nice this was.

Then they finished fixing the road and everyone promptly got back in their cars and forgot the whole thing.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
The DART train in Dublin, Ireland ruled.

Lets see...take a bus for 45 minutes to get from one part of town to another, or take the train and do it in 10. Hmmmmmmmm....

It was also nice because the train ran about 10 miles north and south of the city taking you to places that would have run you into triple digit cab fares.

If I was to be in living in that area, I'd take a train every chance I could over driving or busing.

Paris is the same way. You're never more than 10 min by foot from a metro train stop and they pretty much cover the whole city. Cabs are more or less a waste of time as the traffic is terrible.

 

[vi edit]

Take MARTA...It's SMARTA!

Heh.

Seriously though, taking the train for $1.50 or whatever it cost from the ATL Airport to the further north parts of town (and back again) was an excellent value for travelers.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Take MARTA...It's SMARTA!

Heh.

Seriously though, taking the train for $1.50 or whatever it cost from the ATL Airport to the further north parts of town (and back again) was an excellent value for travelers.

The only problem is that the rail lines are limited. As illustrated by this map unless you live near the lines, you're pretty screwed. Taking the bus to a rail stop, taking the train and then taking another bus to your destination is a big fat PITA and will easily double your trip time. I use the trains for getting to the airport or downtown (ball games) and that's about it.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Fausto1
Paris is the same way. You're never more than 10 min by foot from a metro train stop and they pretty much cover the whole city. Cabs are more or less a waste of time as the traffic is terrible.

when you're only 10 minutes from a station the it is fine. problem is the system they want puts basically no one 10 minutes from a stop.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: Fausto1
Paris is the same way. You're never more than 10 min by foot from a metro train stop and they pretty much cover the whole city. Cabs are more or less a waste of time as the traffic is terrible.

when you're only 10 minutes from a station the it is fine. problem is the system they want puts basically no one 10 minutes from a stop.

Right, which is exactly the problem with our rail lines. The only people who use them for the most part are those who can't afford cars.

One semi-cool thing I did forget to mention; you can take your bike on the trains as long as you're semi-considerate about keeping it out of people's way. Thus, if you're not totally lazy, you can bike to a rail stop, hop the train, and then bike to your destination. No dicking around waiting for and changing buses.

 

[DannyBoy]

LMAO we call them trams here 😛

 

[Electric Amish]

They've been expanding and using a new light rail system here in SLC for a few years now. When you get into SLC proper, it is subject to traffic conditions....at least lights....but until you get into town, it's just like a train.

I'd take it if it came anywhere near my work or home.