Memphis Transportation and Mass Transit Discussion (light rail, bus, etc.)

[BnaBreaker]

On 1/4/2023 at 4:54 PM, VSRJ said:

This is going to be great — and the first of its kind in the state!

MATA's $125M mConnect project scheduled to start construction in 2023

https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2023/01/04/mata-transit-project-scheduled-construction.html

Amazing news!!  I'm so glad it's a proper BRT line.  Lead the way Memphis!  Nashville needs your guidance.  

[smeagolsfree]

Can you break down the article as I do not have a sub to the MBJ.

[James Owen]

4 hours ago, smeagolsfree said:

Can you break down the article as I do not have a sub to the MBJ.

There's a website that talks about the proposed BRT line in detail: https://memphisinnovationcorridor.com/about.html

The project will take about five years to complete with the route running between Downtown and the University of Memphis area along 2nd & 3rd (BB King Blvd) to Union to Poplar.

[Memphisborn]

7 hours ago, James Owen said:

There's a website that talks about the proposed BRT line in detail: https://memphisinnovationcorridor.com/about.html

The project will take about five years to complete with the route running between Downtown and the University of Memphis area along 2nd & 3rd (BB King Blvd) to Union to Poplar.

Yes I saw this. Would i would love to see next is the study for Light rail from downtown to blue oval city maybe a tram/commuter rail 

[smeagolsfree]

On 1/7/2023 at 12:32 PM, James Owen said:

There's a website that talks about the proposed BRT line in detail: https://memphisinnovationcorridor.com/about.html

The project will take about five years to complete with the route running between Downtown and the University of Memphis area along 2nd & 3rd (BB King Blvd) to Union to Poplar.

Thanks so much.

[Memphisborn]

There are peer cities that have proposed or built commuter rails around same distance that Mata has proposed to blue oval. Durham NC has a 48 mile line proposal currently. Here’s some info.

https://www.wral.com/amp/proposed-43-mile-commuter-line-from-durham-would-cost-up-to-3-2-billion-gotriangle-leaders-say/20344960/

Here is the full feasibility report:

https://www.readyforrailnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GTCR_Feasibility-Study-Summary-Report.pdf

 

[Memphisborn]

On 1/11/2023 at 12:02 PM, Memphisborn said:

There are peer cities that have proposed or built commuter rails around same distance that Mata has proposed to blue oval. Durham NC has a 48 mile line proposal currently. Here’s some info.

https://www.wral.com/amp/proposed-43-mile-commuter-line-from-durham-would-cost-up-to-3-2-billion-gotriangle-leaders-say/20344960/

Here is the full feasibility report:

https://www.readyforrailnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GTCR_Feasibility-Study-Summary-Report.pdf

 

Here is a video of a commuter rail in salt lake. This is similar to what Mata is proposing to blue oval.

 

[Memphisborn]

On 1/5/2023 at 8:48 AM, MDC26 said:

Whenever I do bike, I always preferred dedicated biking paths, separate from roads.  Just a biking lane on a heavy traffic street does not calm me much.  The most idiotic thing that is pervasive through the South, is sidewalks, right next to the flow of traffic.  Who wants to walk down Poplar or Union, rubbing shoulders with the outer lane of traffic? 

Interesting video produced by a you tuber.

Edited January 21, 2023 by Memphisborn

[MDC26]

12 hours ago, Memphisborn said:

Interesting video produced by a you tuber.

The Arlington rail terminal looked pretty fancy, and busy. 

[Memphisborn]

42 minutes ago, MDC26 said:

The Arlington rail terminal looked pretty fancy, and busy. 

Yes it did, Blue oval has opened the door of rail possibilities. Would love to see this happen for the future of my children/ grandchildren. There are a lot of hurdles to this we all know funding is the # 1 issue however the Biden trillion dollar plan could help. Mata president is on board with rail lets see if the next Mayor will be willing to find funds to contribute with federal funds to make this real 

[smeagolsfree]

At least there is an RTA in the Memphis area. Getting anyone to cooperate about anything in the Nashville area including the State and the surrounding municipalities is like getting Cobras and Mongooses to play with each other.

[Memphisborn]

3 minutes ago, smeagolsfree said:

At least there is an RTA in the Memphis area. Getting anyone to cooperate about anything in the Nashville area including the State and the surrounding municipalities is like getting Cobras and Mongooses to play with each other.

Yea I saw that it was voted down by the citizens. Rail can be extremely controversial and also expensive. The Amtrak from Nashville to Atlanta/ to Memphis is probably more likely in Nashville versus light rail. 

[The Guardian of Memphis]

I think MARTA was funded by sales taxes, etc. But I don’t think people want the taxes raised on anything nowadays. According to one opinion, buses are a lot less costly than street cars or rapid transit. 

[MLBrumby]

That's right (grew up in Atlanta) and buses are more flexible to operate.  I think BRT is a winner in most midsize cities that are being changed (rapidly) by growth and rehabbing in the core.  LRT should be a longer term proposition. 

[DowntownUrbanite]

Can anyone read this article that was in the Tennessean about rail transit in the area.

https://www.tennessean.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennessean.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2F2023%2F01%2F31%2Famtrak-tennessee-passenger-trains-expansion-commuter-rail-commission-studying-potential%2F69849022007%2F

[Memphis4ever]

On 1/23/2023 at 8:04 AM, Memphisborn said:

Yea I saw that it was voted down by the citizens. Rail can be extremely  and also expensive. The Amtrak from Nashville to Atlanta/ to Memphis is probably more likely in Nashville versus light rail. 

Nashville needs light rail with its growth and density and tight corridors for the interstate and streets.  I feel like the state of tennessee is scared of rail lines or something.

[Memphisborn]

Tdot exploring a Memphis to Nashville Amtrak route. Hope this happens.

 

https://www.laprensalatina.com/could-tdot-help-secure-a-memphis-to-nashville-amtrak-line/amp/

[Memphisborn]

1 hour ago, Memphisborn said:

Tdot exploring a Memphis to Nashville Amtrak route. Hope this happens.

 

https://www.laprensalatina.com/could-tdot-help-secure-a-memphis-to-nashville-amtrak-line/amp/

Steve Cohen advocates Memphis to Nashville Amtrak! 
 

 

[DowntownUrbanite]

On 2/5/2023 at 10:47 PM, Memphis4ever said:

Nashville needs light rail with its growth and density and tight corridors for the interstate and streets.  I feel like the state of tennessee is scared of rail lines or something.

And we need our light rail connection to Midtown and the Airport.

[Memphisborn]

1 minute ago, DowntownUrbanite said:

And we need our light rail connection to Midtown and the Airport.

Agreed! BRT is already a go now we need light rail from downtown/ midtown/Airport to happen it’s been planned for years now with blue oval building and bringing 6,000 + jobs and federal government monies available for Transportation development along with MATA supporting rail infrastructure This is our opportunity to capitalize. Sorry Nashville but Blue oval will be the winner in this. Ford executives have come out publicly advocating for rail from Memphis to Stanton. What Ford wants they will get its Big business 

[Memphisborn]

On 2/12/2023 at 11:33 AM, Memphisborn said:

Agreed! BRT is already a go now we need light rail from downtown/ midtown/Airport to happen it’s been planned for years now with blue oval building and bringing 6,000 + jobs and federal government monies available for Transportation development along with MATA supporting rail infrastructure This is our opportunity to capitalize. Sorry Nashville but Blue oval will be the winner in this. Ford executives have come out publicly advocating for rail from Memphis to Stanton. What Ford wants they will get its Big business 

This is a interesting plan by a you tuber. Would love to see this happen.

 

[Ohsomemphis]

An article in the Daily Memphian released today says that the Madison Avenue Line should be operational by September.

“MATA president and CEO Gary Rosenfeld told Memphis City Council members and Shelby County commissioners at a weekend joint retreat that the Madison line service should be restored by September. He estimated MATA would need $15.4 million more in funding to cover existing operations in all areas, not just trolleys, for the fiscal year that begins July 1.”
 

Wish we could see a bigger investment in our streetcar services across the city!

[Memphisborn]

1 hour ago, Ohsomemphis said:

An article in the Daily Memphian released today says that the Madison Avenue Line should be operational by September.

“MATA president and CEO Gary Rosenfeld told Memphis City Council members and Shelby County commissioners at a weekend joint retreat that the Madison line service should be restored by September. He estimated MATA would need $15.4 million more in funding to cover existing operations in all areas, not just trolleys, for the fiscal year that begins July 1.”
 

Wish we could see a bigger investment in our streetcar services across the city!

Yes we need to get federal funds to extend it down Madison thru Overton square/ liberty park to airport 

Edited April 17, 2023 by Memphisborn

[smeagolsfree]

On 4/17/2023 at 4:12 PM, Ohsomemphis said:

An article in the Daily Memphian released today says that the Madison Avenue Line should be operational by September.

“MATA president and CEO Gary Rosenfeld told Memphis City Council members and Shelby County commissioners at a weekend joint retreat that the Madison line service should be restored by September. He estimated MATA would need $15.4 million more in funding to cover existing operations in all areas, not just trolleys, for the fiscal year that begins July 1.”
 

Wish we could see a bigger investment in our streetcar services across the city!

Wish we could get a Streetcar system in Nashville. Alas, our leaders have no vision or ambition. Nashville will spend 15 million on a blasted study on something and flush the money down the toilet.

[DRG901]

 

A report is coming out in July about rail connecting the Big 4 cities of TN:

Memphis Flyer | State Officials Plan Passenger Rail System to Connect Tennessee’s Big Four Cities