Beside the tracks

61 Comments

1. 

   DOM

    /  November 16, 2013

   Steve J

   Love the site! Love the concept!

   “The past and the present have no place in the future.”
   – Eero Saarinen

2. 

   Matt Czajkowski

    /  November 16, 2013

   A lack of Federal funding will probably kill LRT — and if that doesn’t a lack of State funding will. Does anyone really think the state is going to fund LRT without Wake’s participation? The only problem is we will have spent $40 million and be no further ahead than today! Shall we start a a contest now to come up with all the excuses we’ll hear from those who continue to support it. My guess is we’ll blame the Republicans. All gratitude to you Earl for having waged a lonely battle amongst your BOCC colleagues. It’s lonely. I know.

   Anyone going to the library Monday night to hear why the TTA has to raise fares after we voted to fund them with the sales tax?

3. 

   many

    /  November 16, 2013

   Steve J.

   Thank you. A part of the concept, the “smart car” is coming. It will be able to drive itself, park itself, move itself, fetch itself and form up in to “trains” on the fly based on time and source/destination/location The car as a robot (CaaR) is under development now, and will be available in out lifetimes.

4. 

   many

    /  November 16, 2013

   Matt & Earl,

   “If you are afraid of being lonely, don’t try to be right.”
   ―Jules Renard

5. 

   anonymous

    /  November 17, 2013

   this article seems to be relevant.

   It really depends on what type of BRT one is proposing..
   are you just taking an existing lane and sharing it, or are you going to add new dedicated lanes (in which case the cost goes way up)

   http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2011/05/25/the-silly-argument-over-brt-and-rail/

6. 

   many

    /  November 17, 2013

   anonymous-

   The point I have been trying to make is different; the TTA focus on a green field route for LRT is the wrong approach. Using that same money to improve the access (bus stops, expanded routes and frequency) will do far more to keep the public transit system vital. Ridership is not sufficient for LRT nor is it projected to be anytime soon, if ever. The “if you build it they will come” LRT strategy is seriously flawed on may levels, from cost per mile to socioeconomic and environmental impacts to the number of people served. New technologies and demographics changes will likely render projects like this TTA proposal obsolete after wasting tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars.

   Further, since federal and state funds are dubious and LRT now requires +30 Million for “further study”of LRT, it is my (and many others) opinion that this is an opportunity to step back and reevaluate how we want to spend this tax money. There are significant needs and opportunities elsewhere.

   When dedicated lanes/guideways are needed to reduce transit time between nodes then the right of ways already exist and should be be expanded where ever possible, even at the same or slightly greater initial cost. This does two things; preserves existing economic development investment, increasing density as well as reducing the impact/footprint on critical natural resources. Proper planning and land use decisions now (something missing from the TTA marketing blitz) will pave (pun intended) the best way forward for “our transit future”.

7. 

   Matt Czajkowski

    /  November 17, 2013

   Turn out at the library Monday at 4:00 PM to ask the TTA why they are raising fates when they will receive $28 million from sales tax this fiscal year.

8. 

   Bonnie Hauser

    /  November 17, 2013

   Matt – just for clarity – Most of TTA’s funds come from the Durham and Orange sales tax. About 25% of the funds come from rental car and vehicle registration fees.

   Do you know how much money CHT was expecting and is not getting?

9. 

   Bruce Springsteen

    /  November 17, 2013

   Why would they have a meeting for public info and input on a weekday at 4:00 in the afternoon?

   And Terri Buckner, I saw your column in todays CHN and if you think Carrboro is so great then maybe you should think a little harder.

10. 

    many

     /  November 18, 2013

    Bruce, so its inconvenient for the public to give the input they are looking for of course.

    If you think that is inconvenient, check out the meetings for the TTA planning public comment period:
    http://www.triangletransit.org/sites/default/files/files/September%2025,%202013.pdf

11. 

    Bonnie Hauser

     /  November 22, 2013

    Hey even Bruce Siceloff is waffling on LRT. And he’s said nothing about the loss of funidng for bus and other local priorities.

    http://wunc.org/post/rail-transit-shot-down-panel-experts