- Two way loop route
- 2 minute headways!
- Grade-separated, dedicated right-of-way
- No opertator in the vehicle (think of the cost savings)
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- Two way loop route
- 2 minute headways!
- Grade-separated, dedicated right-of-way
- No opertator in the vehicle (think of the cost savings)
SkyLink at DFW (at 5am, and I was just as bleery-eyed as my fellow travelers).
Points off for sudden acceleration and vibration.
6 responses to “The Perfect Transit System?”
I also got to ride Sky Link this weekend. It is the first time I had been in DFW since 92, and back then I would fly through several times a year. I couldn’t believe the difference. My strongest memory of DFW is of *running* from one terminal to the other. The airport is now more than twice as big, but it was ten times easier to make my connection with Sky Link.
Just like in Jacksonville. It’s no where near as expensive as a Streetcar, much more advanced, no drivers (thus no nasty Unions to deal with), the operations cost are covered by the measly 35 cent fare (if people rode the thing), and the headways are awesome (every 5 minutes in J-ville).
Technically it is one of the best methods around, and it eats up 0% of land space as it is all raised (and still cheaper per mile than the Streetcar in PDX).
The only two massive problems with this that are eveident in J-ville are…
1. Time to board, it takes 2-3 minutes just to walk up the steps. When the system only covers 2-3 miles it is kind of pointless to board for 1-2 stops.
2. Without development planning (ala J-ville) the system does not incur local development. Portland could do this and get it right – but the city seems to be stuck on the idea of expensive Streetcars and Light Rail.
The last thing though, how much does such a system actually add to the character of a city? It is extremely easy to cover operations and even capitol expenses if ridership is about 50% of occurpancy and there is a measly charge. But even with all those advantages the catch is to find a reason for people to use the service.
I’ve thought about these types of systems before being put into place in downtown PDX and they could be utilized perfectly in this city. But the drawbacks could bring unintended consequences for the city.
Since the system is raised, it draws people away from Street level activities and stores. Thus drawing up a more lifeless city.
There are many issues, if it is Government run this is a much better system as it costs EVERYONE a drastically smaller sum of money (i.e. taxpayers & developers).
If the system is run as a capitalistic development incentive (as with the Streetcar) it isn’t going to work nearly as well.
If you want to experience this type of ride, stop and use the underground at SEATAC airport, it connects the three sattelite terminals with the main, very efficient, free…
Please expanded from Airport to East Vancouver light rail, second expanded from Beaverton TC to Tigard TC via Washington Square MALL (MAX red line; add Trolleybuses in Portland area sees: http://www.trolleybus.net, and various of transit methods like monorail or others. You can find out Portland served Trolleybus in past times. Please write many numerous letters to Your Senators and any organizations about these projects to follow up. Thank you for help! David
Sounds like SkyTrain in Vancouver BC, but you have to be OK with all the elevated structures…not sure that would be that nice on 10th & 11th Avenues.
Though I came to like the grit of Wabash Avenue in the Loop, it think we need to enjoy being able to just walk right on to trains with no fuss, no muss.
There is a subway out there somewhere in our future, but not an “elevated.”
Oh, and “long live organized labor!”
I’m so glad organized labor is only about 13% of the workforce now. I’d hate to see even MORE American citizens lose jobs overseas and south o’ the border. But then of course the Southern US has fortunately gabbed up most of the new auto manufacturing and other such manufacturing plants because of their at-will work allowances. Neither would we have Toyota, Honda, Mercedes, BMW, or any of the other manufacturings (that employes thousands) if the Political types in charge at the time allowed them to come here without being subjugated to Unions.
Wow, I just complimented some politicians! :) Its a first in a long long time.
But I digress.
So for the “free” transit at SEATAC – keep in mind, SOMEBODY pays for everything. In that case it was probably either the airport, taxpayers, or a combination. …but none the less, I’ll check it out next time I go thru the airport.
Also speaking on transit as the type Chris’ entry points out, NorthWest Airlines did an amazing job with the Detroit Airport. Last time I was thru there it was amazing. I unfortunately didn’t ride it as the GF wanted to do some walking – not that I could complain after being on the plane for a while and we had a wait on our hands for our next flight.