Quote:
Originally Posted by pdxtex
its all about providing people with options that encourage them to not use their cars. light rail is just part of the transit equation and should be used in conjunction with other modes to be most effective. it does not need to be given a second look, it worked the first time. the hard part is convincing people to use public transit.
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But today's planners are stuck on the light rail ideal and deride all other options.
The fact of the matter is that we have to think about the future and not just now. Places like Atlanta did a great in building subway from the start. But if they were building today, it would almost for sure be an LRT. And it would not be carrying half as many people as the MARTA subway carries. That is just one example.
When light rail is done right as in Edmonton, you are approaching the level of building a heavy rail system. Only difference is they use old railway right of ways, etc, which helps lower costs.
Light rail really is the "downtown mall" of the 2000's. Every city needed a downtown mall in the 90's. Now it is light rail that everyone wants.
It is a fad. It makes sense in some places. But it for sure does not make sense in all the cities building it. And in some of the larger cities like Toronto, it really does not make sense. But it is being built because that is what everyone else is doing.