Anti-Streetcar Resolution Narrowly Defeated in County Transit Committee
by ARLnow.com
June 13, 2012
ARLnow.com
http://www.arlnow.com/2012/06/13/ant...comment-178222
"Arlington County’s own Transit Advisory Committee came close last night to passing a resolution supporting articulated bus service on Columbia Pike over the planned Columbia Pike streetcar project."
"The resolution, proposed by committee member Joseph Warren, was ultimately defeated by a vote of 6-5, but not before a spirited debate among committee members."
“Articulated bus [is] a practical and far more cost-effective alternative than the modified streetcar,” Warren said in his resolution, which his read aloud."
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Originally I thought the Pike was a cool idea from afar (I live in Fairfax but after reading about it more, I side with the "cons".
Aside from loading more people, the streetcar doesn't provide that much more of advantage over the enhanced bus option.
Streetcar proponents point to "enhanced livablity" and economic development as reason for the streetcar. But frankly I think "enhanced livablity" would come from having very attractive transit usage rather than mere transit.
Economic development apparently IS already happening on the pike. I fail to see how having the streetcar will SERIOUSLY augment that.
Some will point to the Rossyln ballton Corridor, but Metro service and mixed traffic streetcar are two TOTALLY different things...
Whats more, Bailey's Crossroads is to be overhauled it will be even more of a destination (hopefully) in the next 20/30 years, with likely more residents. (relatively) quick Metro rail access would be the goal but if there is no difference between bus and streetcar speeds why not just keep the bus?
Buses can actually function better in ice and in front of stalled cars too.
If the streetcars had their own ROW in exclusive lanes, it'd be different. But it's not so aside from an image thing, I still don't see any tangible advantage over just keeping the bus.