quote:
Originally posted by Ben Wehr
I just don't see a need for Rail Way mass transit in the Tulsa metro area. If you're traveling to BA, Bixby, jenks, Sand Springs, Owasso it would be a 15 to 20 min drive. Now, what I think would be beneficial is if there were a quick and efficiant way to get people from down town Tulsa to Bartlesville, Olkmulgee, McCalaster, Muskogee, and other areas where the drive is over 30 min. But from BA to Tulsa and other close communities it's just not practical.
Your decisions will depend in part on your vision for the Tulsa you are building for your childrens children. You can have the image above in Heritage Streetcar or Modern Streetcar or even LRT.
You can have the image below with Bus Rapid Transit.
Which City do you want to be?As for the difference in Rail and Bus in terms of attraction of riders you can check the numbers for yourself at:
http://www.lightrailnow.org/For the difference in development attraction, "PCT Trolley buses vs REAL STREETCARS" WITH NUMBERS check out: The American Public Transportation Association web pages on "Heritage Trolleys"
http://www.heritagetrolley.com/planBenefits.htmLong interesting FEATURE STORY on "Bring Back The Streetcars" from the APTA.
http://www.apta.com/research/info/online/weyrich.cfmYou want the TRUTH about streetcars?
You might also want to visit my blog at:
http://jacksonvilletransit.blogspot.com/I also keep an informational web-site on transit at:
http://www.freewebs.com/lightrailjacksonville/Streetcar and Transit Myths
Myth: You should always select one form of transit in order to maximize the impact.
Fact: In Transit, as in Wal-Mart, Mix and Choice sell.
Myth: BRT is just like rail only cheaper.
Fact: Look up the definition of the word CHEAP.
Myth: Overhead wires will be an eyesore.
Fact: Streetcars use a single overhead wire 1/2 inch in diameter.
Myth: Amtrak has no relation to Commuter Rail.
Fact: By introducing Amtrak services the federal and state governments pay to improve the track and plant, which can then be used by Commuter Rail. In fact Amtrak does operate some Commuter Rail services under contract.
Myth: Bikes and streetcars don't mix.
Fact: Portland and Philadelphia are bicycle-friendly cities; we can learn from them how to integrate streetcars and bikes.
Myth: Streetcars will harm bus service.
Fact: Buses replaced by streetcars can be used to provide new and expanded services. Streetcars can increase overall transit ridership.
Myth: People who don't ride buses won't ride streetcars.
Fact: In San Francisco, 7,000 people/day rode the electric bus; 21,000 people/day rode a streetcar on the same route.
Myth: Streetcars are more expensive to operate than buses.
Fact: There are trade-offs; buses last only 8 years, streetcars last 40 years.
Myth: Streetcars are too slow to attract riders.
Fact: Streetcars are designed to provide convenient, accessible, comfortable transportation. As for speed, streetcar/LRT has the same basic locomotion as the French High Speed Trains, it's all about how you want YOURS.
Myth: Streetcars won't reduce car trips.
Fact: They will reduce short, wasteful car trips within the area they serve by providing a predictable, comfortable alternative.
Myth: Fixed tracks make streetcars less flexible, and therefore a waste of money.
Fact: Building a permanent infrastructure for streetcars encourages retail and residential development. Current return in development dollars is about $1,200 dollars per $1 dollar invested in streetcar.
Myth: We can test or even achieve the streetcar potential with a Faux Trolley bus.
Fact: There is no relationship between the ridership of faux buses and real streetcars. One city experienced a jump from 7,000 passengers per day without rail to 21,000 a day with rail on the same route.
Myth: Rail is inflexible and thus prone to massive investment and loss.
Fact: Rail is perhaps the most flexible of all transit, but once on the ground it is a fixture that attracts TOD. No investor is going to sink a fortune in a new skyscraper because a bus is nearby. Elevated, in street, side of road, median, private railroad track, subway.
This is just the tip of the iceberg y'all and as a professional in this field, I'll be glad to post and fight this battle along side you. As one with ancestral roots in Oklahoma, and a former Cashion, OK. Councilman and student of OSU, I have more then a passing interest.
OCKLAWAHA [}:)]