You’re reading Transit Time, a weekly newsletter for Charlotte people who leave the house. Cars, buses, light rail, bikes, scooters … if you use it to get around the city, we write about it. Transit Time is produced in partnership among The Charlotte Ledger
Ok, its not sexy, but spending a fraction of the red line rail money to build out direct ramps and stations using the toll lanes on 77 is the practical and effective solution up here. Direct access via ramps and frequent service would likely be a winner.... IF we continue to have increased employment concentration uptown.
That said, Without considering cost or a recalcitrant norfolk southern, of course a redline hydrorail would be a boon- imagine the benefit to existing centers of the northern towns and greenfield developments between them.
When my wife and I moved to Davidson in 1997, we rode the DMU demonstration rail used to sell the initial sales tax. It was very very nice- 24 years later, if installed, that same technology would be a huge winner. But somehow I dont have high expectations. A pity. The under utilized railline is just a screaming waste just sitting there.....
We in the northern towns were sold a bill of goods when Charlotte pitched a northern train and again when it had its way with the toll lanes. Now, P.T. Barnum reincarnated is at it again. Will some of us be gullible once more? Great story, by the way. The Ledger is doing a super job of informing the people of Mecklenburg County on a wide range of subjects.
Yeah, I understand the view of folks who question why we didn't just add a couple of lanes that were "free lanes". Seeing multi lane freeways in more remote corners of our state can cause some headscratching.
On the other hand, I also understand the longer view that toll lanes offer other benefits- a method to manage mobility and incidentally a freely moving transit access. If you carpool or ride the bus I bet you think it rocks.
I'm not so set in my thinking that I deny the possibility that the toll lanes may pan out to be a better long term option- say 10 years from now.
Maybe it won't.
I do enjoy knowing that I can go to sleep knowing that I don't have to leave 5 hrs ahead to get to the airport.
Please dear readers, don't go ballistic on me. I know emotions run deep on this one. I'm just willing to give it some time before I judge. If the pandemic taught us anything, it taught us a) be prepared for things to change. B) give Grace to those who are sticking their neck out trying to do their best to help others c) be humble.
The point is: Not only have WE IN THE NORTH been paying for everybody else’s goodies for a couple of decades now, but we were deceived and the same old attempts at deception continue. More than anything, I hate being treated like a complete idiot.
Councilman Tariq Bokhari is right. Why would we build an $8B (likely a lot more) fixed rail project, estimated completion date 2040, when it will be immediately, laughably outdated. For that kind of money, it would pay to take some futuristic, calculated risks. I admire the Councilman for his foresight. Let's hope the rest of Charlotte's leadership choose to lead instead of follow other, less creative cities.
OK, who has ideas on what kind of technology would revolutionize transit/transportation in Charlotte? Let's hear 'em!
Ok, its not sexy, but spending a fraction of the red line rail money to build out direct ramps and stations using the toll lanes on 77 is the practical and effective solution up here. Direct access via ramps and frequent service would likely be a winner.... IF we continue to have increased employment concentration uptown.
That said, Without considering cost or a recalcitrant norfolk southern, of course a redline hydrorail would be a boon- imagine the benefit to existing centers of the northern towns and greenfield developments between them.
When my wife and I moved to Davidson in 1997, we rode the DMU demonstration rail used to sell the initial sales tax. It was very very nice- 24 years later, if installed, that same technology would be a huge winner. But somehow I dont have high expectations. A pity. The under utilized railline is just a screaming waste just sitting there.....
We in the northern towns were sold a bill of goods when Charlotte pitched a northern train and again when it had its way with the toll lanes. Now, P.T. Barnum reincarnated is at it again. Will some of us be gullible once more? Great story, by the way. The Ledger is doing a super job of informing the people of Mecklenburg County on a wide range of subjects.
Yeah, I understand the view of folks who question why we didn't just add a couple of lanes that were "free lanes". Seeing multi lane freeways in more remote corners of our state can cause some headscratching.
On the other hand, I also understand the longer view that toll lanes offer other benefits- a method to manage mobility and incidentally a freely moving transit access. If you carpool or ride the bus I bet you think it rocks.
I'm not so set in my thinking that I deny the possibility that the toll lanes may pan out to be a better long term option- say 10 years from now.
Maybe it won't.
I do enjoy knowing that I can go to sleep knowing that I don't have to leave 5 hrs ahead to get to the airport.
Please dear readers, don't go ballistic on me. I know emotions run deep on this one. I'm just willing to give it some time before I judge. If the pandemic taught us anything, it taught us a) be prepared for things to change. B) give Grace to those who are sticking their neck out trying to do their best to help others c) be humble.
The point is: Not only have WE IN THE NORTH been paying for everybody else’s goodies for a couple of decades now, but we were deceived and the same old attempts at deception continue. More than anything, I hate being treated like a complete idiot.
Councilman Tariq Bokhari is right. Why would we build an $8B (likely a lot more) fixed rail project, estimated completion date 2040, when it will be immediately, laughably outdated. For that kind of money, it would pay to take some futuristic, calculated risks. I admire the Councilman for his foresight. Let's hope the rest of Charlotte's leadership choose to lead instead of follow other, less creative cities.
Following seems to be the one thing at which the majority of Charlotte’s leadership excels.