by wigwagfan
STrRedWolf wrote: ↑Sat Jun 25, 2022 7:12 am There should be *more* transit, especially rail transit, over expanding roads. Repairing, fine. Expanding, no. Transit first. Lay down more rail.So, you're for more roads?
Seriously. Demanding rail be the priority means not only a very long build-out period, but it also means cutting bus service. Rail simply cannot serve the breadth of trips and destinations that buses can. Focusing on rail means cutting bus service. Portland is literally a case study in this, and the results are crystal clear: Transit ridership from 2005 to 2019 remained exactly constant, despite a growing population. Transit in 2020 bombed of course, but is still only about 50% of pre-pandemic. But road use is now ABOVE pre-pandemic levels and at an historical all-time high.
Why? Because our transit agency, MPO, DOT and cities have focused on rail, which is fixed and doesn't serve the needs of the travelling public. So those who need transit don't have it, or if they can manage to get a bus, it's haphazard and unreliable. The trains are there but running empty, and the Park & Ride lots are empty as well. Notwithstanding the crime issues that are also discouraging transit ridership, but many people have stated they feel safer on a bus than on a train where the sole operator is in a locked cab and generally will not get involved with disruptive passengers.
Want fewer cars and more transit? You gotta love the bus. Want trains? Might as well start planning for freeway expansions now, because you'll end up doing it later.