63 replies to this topic

[Southron]

jrfstone, on Feb 16 2008, 07:29 PM, said:

I think that a light rail system that ran above Airport Blvd (and Government downtwon) that ran from the Regional Airport to Downtown in Mobile would be amazing. Major intersections would be University, the malls, and at the convergence of Airport and Government.

I agree with you, jrfstone.  I think a bus rapid transit system is under development for the route that you mentioned, but light rail would be much better.  Extending light rail across the Bay to Baldwin County would help alleviate congestion as well.

Welcome to Urban Planet!  Looking forward to your input around the boards.

[Southron]

According to an opinion piece in the today's Montgomery Advertiser, Alabamians drove 286 million fewer miles through July of this year than during the same period a last year.  However, our ability to cut back is limited because few of us have transportation options other than automobiles.

The days of cheap gas are coming to an end, and that makes automobiles increasingly expensive for routine travel. DOT reports a nationwide increase of 11 percent in mass transit use in July.  But because of underfunding, Alabamians do not have access to convenient and reliable public transportation.  It's time for the state to get on the bandwagon and fund mass transit, even if it means cutting back on highway projects.  Light rail and efficient bus systems are far more important for our future economic competitiveness than widening projects and new outer loops.

Time to get going on public transit

[kayman]

Southron, on Oct 6 2008, 07:26 AM, said:

According to an opinion piece in the today's Montgomery Advertiser, Alabamians drove 286 million fewer miles through July of this year than during the same period a last year.  However, our ability to cut back is limited because few of us have transportation options other than automobiles.

The days of cheap gas are coming to an end, and that makes automobiles increasingly expensive for routine travel. DOT reports a nationwide increase of 11 percent in mass transit use in July.  But because of underfunding, Alabamians do not have access to convenient and reliable public transportation.  It's time for the state to get on the bandwagon and fund mass transit, even if it means cutting back on highway projects.  Light rail and efficient bus systems are far more important for our future economic competitiveness than widening projects and new outer loops.

Time to get going on public transit

Amen!  This state's precautious nature towards funding public transit has cost us so many oportunities.   All of the big 4 cities could really use an adequate mass transit system for their immediate urbanized areas, and this allow can spawl more mixed use developments and further redevelopment of the urban cores.

[Southron]

Representatives from the Birmingham, Mobile, Montgomery and other transit and planning organizations met in Montgomery this week to discuss the creation of a statewide association and a state commission on public transportation.  State Rep. Rod Scott of Fairfield plans to introduce a bill this session to create a state public transit commission that would release recommendations in 2010.

While progress will probably be slow, this is a good first step to try to get state level support for transit programs.  It's good that the representatives quoted in the article understand that transit systems are economic engines and not just social services.  Hopefully they'll play hardball in getting this message across.

Transit systems representatives meet to eye creation of state transit association