The Triangle Transit authority’s latest poll
shows 70% of Triangle residents would support buses and rail in
addition to roads to deal with the extra congestion they expect in the
next 5-10 years. There was no question about how much to pay or whether
any proposed train should go to the airport. Respondents did agree that
the federal government should spend more for Triangle rail if the
alternative is to spend money someplace else–again no option for
spending federal road money on roads.
My favorite question, however, is whether regional rail would stimulate economic development around rail stations. Rail stations in other cities have redirected housing and economic development nearer the station. But only 56% said yes to this question. Does that mean few people expect to ride it themselves?
In
Charlotte, they are ripping up the two-year-old $40-million trolley
tracks to make way for new construction of the Charlotte’s new light
rail line and other projects. Richard Rubin asks in the Charlotte Observer
So who will ride the comparatively pokey trolley when light rail is
available? If you want to keep an out-of-town guest or a 5-year-old
occupied …
