44 replies to this topic

[it's just dave]

LRT is something to think about, but it certainly isn't in the forefront of needs. This place is pretty easy to get around in. If people who don't have cars or move to places without transit access, I'd say it's more their inappropriate planning than that of the MTA.

The city is starting construction soon on a new $35 million transit center adjacent to the Municipal Auditorium. I'd say that's the right thinking at this point. These folks have had to endure the elements and no services long enough. This indoor facility with restrooms, ticket stations, coffee shop and other amenities is more important, I'm sure, to them than having a train run down West End. MTA is improving its service as it can. I'm happy the people who do use the system will finally be able to get out of the rain. To me, that's progress.

And not to mince words, or pretend I'm totally and only for the good of the bus riders, Deadrick Street will finally look clean and nice again. A worthy goal I'd say.

[sleepy]

cdarr, on Jun 27 2005, 08:13 PM, said:

They are working towards adding LRT here in Memphis...essentially, hooking it up with the trolley line to connect downtown with the airport.  I have my doubts about it.  Our downtown trolley loop has decent ridership whenever downtown is crowded (weekends, ball games, etc.) but it seems to be more of a novelty rather than practical.  As for the new line they ran from downtown about 2-3 miles east to Midtown - I can't say I've EVER seen any more than 2 people on a trolley at any time.  I'm afraid it would be the same for a line run to the airport.  Just don't know who will ride it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree about the downtown line.  It seems to work pretty well, and not exclusively for tourists, imho.

I was down in Memphis a few weeks ago, got my 3 day tourist pass, and rode the Main Street and Riverfront lines all the time.  There were always locals hopping on, particularly at the North End transit station and up and down Main St. during business hours.  Even skateboarding middle-schoolers from Harbortown and students from the downtown elementary school.

The Madison line is something else.  It ends in the middle of nowhere and has poor ridership.  BUT--I understand why it was built.  The city had the funds left over from the I-40 project and built the Madison line with that money and built it to LRT standards in anticipation of the route continuing down Madison to Cooper-Young and then to the airport.

[cdarr]

sleepy, on Jun 27 2005, 09:29 PM, said:

The Madison line is something else.  It ends in the middle of nowhere and has poor ridership.  BUT--I understand why it was built.  The city had the funds left over from the I-40 project and built the Madison line with that money and built it to LRT standards in anticipation of the route continuing down Madison to Cooper-Young and then to the airport.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep, the Madison line was a spend-it-or-lose-it deal from what I remember.  Overton Square would have made sense as a logical termination point, but I suppose they ran out of money.

[Fellowmann20]

My brother and I remember Opryland. My mom and her friend used to take us there when we were between 4 and 6 years old. Since I was a child I don't remember much but I do remember getting on this rollercoaster that went around a million times and it scared me half to death. I think it might of had a corkscrew or a loop it was made of steel.

[cheeriokid61]

Ahhhh, the Wa-Bash Cannonball, or the Wall-Bash Cannonball, or the, oh what the crap. I love love love love love that ride. My first ever flippy rollercoaster. Man do I miss Opryland!