Ridership Projections for first year: 9100 per day
First Day: 4000-5000 riders.
It will be interesting to see what ridership was today, i’ll give them a holiday break for yesterday, but you would think that the first day would be strong. But hey, numbers and projections don’t matter with the light rail crowd.
One interesting thing with the “world class city”/ Washington DC has it…Parking at lots for the Lynx is $Free.99, you have to pay for parking in DC.
I think you forgot to include that today was the first day you had to pay for service. After the opening weekend it was going to take a hit. Let people get hit in the pocket with crappy gas prices a little while longer, then come on here with the “I told you so rant.”
You’re also forgetting that it was raining yesterday. A lot of people also have monthly parking passes that won’t be expiring for a few days. Starting in december, there are a lot of businesses that will be giving out free transit passes to their employees as well. You can save A LOT of money if you park and ride. It’s not uncommon for some people to pay 10 dollars a day to park downtown. Even the ****tiest lots cost over 100 dollars a month.
I can’t believe y’all don’t care that some people are making $ off of taxpayer’s $. That’s wrong.[/QUOTE]
Newsflash. Here’s how it works… The public-sector puts money where the private-sector won’t… and industry is the main beneficiary. It’s how wealthy countries develop, and it’s why ALL advanced countries have large state-sectors.
I love how a ton of people, outside of this board included, is like "oh we got to the panther game for only $1.30, that is way cheaper than parking!". Transit in this town didn't start yesterday. You basically now have something that is "good enough for you" in a train (not you in general, but people who are willing to ride a brand new train, but not a bus that John Rocker would describe). You are taking the train more as a novelty than the fact it gets you to point A to point B, in an efficient and effective way.
I rode the bus to the panthers game on Sunday. I ride the bus most times I go downtown. I see your argument, though, because people DON"T take advantage of the bus system that the transit tax pays for. Everyone makes the argument that the tax was just about light rail…it wasn’t. The tax paid for doubling the number of routes the bus takes, and increasing the frequency of trips. If people would get over themselves, they would realize that the bus is a viable alternative to driving everywhere. You CAN own a car and ride the bus…
to me that is so intellectually dishonest. It will not effect confestion now or in the future on the south side. Had the rail been built along I77 or I85, I agree it would help (ie ATL or DC). But a train track going up South Blvd does so little to traffic flow. As I have said above, I am not anti light rail, I just hate some of the lazy straw man arguments such as congestion improvement. Most of the people who are going to ride the rail were on a bus already. I think the rail could AD TO CONGESTION. If they build some cool restaurants and shopping, I know my wife and I will be driving to South Blvd to eat/shop there. :lmao:
regardless of the “congestion” spin, it was built to funnel dollars into certain places, such as City of Charlotte property tax income, and the likes of Harvey Gantt-types who will profit off all the engineering and architecture required.
I disagree with you on that. If they are projecting that the south line will have 9100 passengers a day, that is, in theory, 9100 less vehicle trips per day. Assume that maybe some of the rail riders took the bus before, and knock 1000 trips off that number. Knock another 10 trips off for the 10 people that carpool in Charlotte. How is it intellectually dishonest to assume that by increasing ridership of public transit that less cars will be on the road.
You say that most of the people who ride the rail were on a bus already, but MANY people on here have stated unequivocally that they would not or did not ride the bus before. I would assume, though the sample size is small, that they do represent Charlotteans in general.
Also, the light rail will (and is) increasing the land use intensity of the city by encouraging mixed use high density development around the stations. Sure, someone is going to profit off it…are you opposed to people making a profit off of their land and their investments? I am also sure that some of those people made contributions to the movement to oppose the repeal. They are simply making a donation for a cause they believe in. If there were so many people who thought the tax should be repealed, why didn’t they donate money to that cause? They stood to “save” money if it was repealed.
[QUOTE=anipalcraig;271737]
Newsflash. Here’s how it works… The public-sector puts money where the private-sector won’t… and industry is the main beneficiary. It’s how wealthy countries develop, and it’s why ALL advanced countries have large state-sectors.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Sideshow;271745]i don’t even know where to begin.[/QUOTE]
What? you should know my rant by now.
I was thinking of how, say, IBM didn’t have to foot the cost of developing the computer. Of course not. That’s the public sector’s job (historically). (I’m not saying it should be this way.) Likewise, defense spending was responsible for making Boeing, an industry leader in the world’s single biggest industry, tourism. Silicone Valley, our research triangle… ****, the pentagon system… all of “defense” spending, which accounts for one half of national spending, as if some country would attack the US, yeah, right. Well, that’s the major means of redistributing capital. Retards like Ken, concerned with fairness, rant about the injustices of, say, WIC. Meanwhile the Dept. of Homeland security fill in the blank.
[QUOTE=Noreaster;271741]I disagree with you on that. If they are projecting that the south line will have 9100 passengers a day, that is, in theory, 9100 less vehicle trips per day. Assume that maybe some of the rail riders took the bus before, and knock 1000 trips off that number. Knock another 10 trips off for the 10 people that carpool in Charlotte. How is it intellectually dishonest to assume that by increasing ridership of public transit that less cars will be on the road.
[/QUOTE]
I think what he is referring to is the fact that the rail system crosses traffic in many places along the line, instead of going over or under it. I am a supporter of light rail but to a certain extent I agree with him. Between Scaleybark and Marsh alone, South Blvd crosses the rail line twice and 2 stop lights have been added that were not previously there.
[QUOTE=Normmm;271837]And every exit off of any interstate.[/QUOTE]
Right and I just want people that complain about the Light Rail realize it gives the same type of incentives to potential developers as 485, which many of the anti-rail people support. The difference is with the Light Rail the growth and development can be controlled in a much more efficient manner than with 485 / Interstate interchanges.
I disagree with you on that. If they are [B]projecting that the south line will have 9100 passengers a day[/B], that is, in theory, 9100 less vehicle trips per day. Assume that maybe some of the rail riders took the bus before, and knock 1000 trips off that number. Knock another 10 trips off for the 10 people that carpool in Charlotte. How is it intellectually dishonest to assume that by increasing ridership of public transit that less cars will be on the road.
You say that most of the people who ride the rail were on a bus already, but MANY people on here have stated unequivocally that they would not or did not ride the bus before. I would assume, though the sample size is small, that they do represent Charlotteans in general.
Also, the light rail will (and is) increasing the land use intensity of the city by encouraging mixed use high density development around the stations. Sure, someone is going to profit off it…are you opposed to people making a profit off of their land and their investments? I am also sure that some of those people made contributions to the movement to oppose the repeal. They are simply making a donation for a cause they believe in. If there were so many people who thought the tax should be repealed, why didn’t they donate money to that cause? They stood to “save” money if it was repealed.
do we really want to open the “projections” can of worms? hope they project ridership better than cost analysis.
I think its great existing homes or biz get an uptick in property value along the line. What bothers me is people who “hedged” that a line would be built, bought property, then supported the campaign to build a train on citizens dime for their own profit. Before the latest vote in Nov, developers had snatched up land along the potential north line (ie Crossland) and then funneled money into the campaign for light rail. I don’t think thats ethical, but its how the Belks, Duke, etc gets richer. Just as I don’t believe in Harvey Gantt doing commercials as the “ex mayor” as if he is a public authority, when all he is hoping for is more revenue for his arch company.
last, I promise you some cool shopping will be built near the line especially near East Blvd. It will “attract” more cars only making congestion worse, or negate any positive number of cars the rail took off the road. I guess my biggest beef is the location of the line. Had it been on 77 (ie ATL or DC), the argument of “congestion” would be far more valid. I just hate the congestion argument because its just not the reason why it was built. And as Normm said, the train will inhibit traffic too.
I think you forgot to include that today was the first day you had to pay for service.
I think the FIRST day of service would be the biggest day. Also the FIRST DAY of service is part of the FIRST YEAR. the projected FIRST YEAR riders is 9,100 a day, they got about half that.
After the opening weekend it was going to take a hit.
What about opening week? If it gets only half now, what does it get next week?
Let people get hit in the pocket with crappy gas prices a little while longer, then come on here with the "I told you so rant."
when the Charlotte Observer has on the front page of Monday's paper "101,000 Riders" the same day half of the projected riders get on the thing when its time to pay for it, yeah, i'll gloat with facts.
Are you mad the choo choo doesn't come to you?
I live in a neighborhood across the street from a proposed north line station, trust me I can go either way. I don't like the thing, but I don't like it b/c of mismanagement. I see the benefits of it for the future, but when I hit a pothole on Woodlawn today, and me and a 100K other people are on I77 that is 2 lanes each way, yeah, I get a little upset.
I think the FIRST day of service would be the biggest day. Also the FIRST DAY of service is part of the FIRST YEAR. the projected FIRST YEAR riders is 9,100 a day, they got about half that.
You think the FIRST day of pay service would be the biggest? Likely if for a couple days beforehand they didn’t run it for free, but free vs. pay I’d probably take it while it’s free and then decide on paying at a later time.
I don’t like the mismanagement either, but if you really believed the repeal would have halted it from completion (atleast of the south line) you would be mistaken. Just like any other political propaganda they would have repackaged it somehow and got it done. A repeal would have just wasted the money already into it. Like I said I wish it wouldn’t have unfolded like it did with the price it had on it, but there’s not much more you can do about it but complain. Be proactive when the N. line comes in (if it’s allowed) and make sure it doesn’t get screwed like this one, b/c me and you both would like to have it to avoid potholes on Woodlawn and 2 lanes on I-77 (well not really I live off Harris so I get atleast 3).:biggrin:
I’ve been reading people’s personal accounts from riding the train the last two days and many have said the trains have been standing room only most of the times they have been on them. You have to remember that the first day it rained, not many people are going to want to stand out in the elements when it is raining. There are also a number of businesses downtown that are giving transit passes to their employees to encourage them to ride the train into work rather than drive into downtown and park. Many more people pay for monthly parking so they will finish out their month before they adjust their commute. Apparently they have been a big hit for people not wanting to pay to park downtown for events as well. I read that before and after the Hannah Montana concert the trains were packed with little girls (and their parents) going to see the show.
I've been reading people's personal accounts from riding the train the last two days and many have said the trains have been standing room only most of the times they have been on them. You have to remember that the first day it rained, not many people are going to want to stand out in the elements when it is raining. There are also a number of businesses downtown that are giving transit passes to their employees to encourage them to ride the train into work rather than drive into downtown and park. Many more people pay for monthly parking so they will finish out their month before they adjust their commute. Apparently they have been a big hit for people not wanting to pay to park downtown for events as well. I read that before and after the Hannah Montana concert the trains were packed with little girls (and their parents) going to see the show.
with all due respect…SO FREAKING WHAT?
nobody is debating how fun or cool it is to ride the train. Its very novel for Charlotteans right now and extremely exciting for the first time I’m sure. But is it worth the price tag? What is the return on investment? This is a very expensive endeavor.
fyi, me and my Dad plan on using the train now for the Panthers parking issue. Those parking lot leasees are gonna take a much needed bath after ripping people off for so long. :lmao::weep:
Rode the LYNX last night from 485 to Bobcats arena.
Couple noticable things: the ticket machines are ridiculously slow (if they are even turned on), half of them were broken. You can easily ride for free because there are no turnstiles or anyone asking to see you proof of purchase (thats always good for maintenance revenue :rolleyes:), surely they are going to make everyone buy tickets to board?? The scary types are linger around the stations. An undercover cop on my train told me already the trains have “slammed on their brakes” several times throwing everyone to the floor because of cars not stopping at tracks and a major accident is waiting to happen.
Well, I hope you train lovers are happy.
I forgot my ticket, so I had to go home. I left home in Pineville at 6:35, & decided to be open-minded towards the LYNX. I got there at 6:40. I had been told a train leaves every 7 1/2 minutes, so I sat down & waited. And waited. And waited. And waited.
By the time it left, I looked at the clock, & it was 7. I had waited 20 damn minutes to leave. And 7 is when the game starts.
I thought maybe we were on the fast shuttle due to it being game night, so I’ll only miss a little bit. There is no shuttle. The Lynx stops at every damn stop.
When I got to the game, 10 minutes of the 1st half had passed.
I should have known not to be open-minded, & give you guys a try.
And it’s built to high. I don’t like heights. And I can imagine it being crowded for the Panthers & Bobcats.
On the way back, I waited, & waited, & waited for a train to get me.
And I’m glad I’m not handicapped. The elevator was down. I guess handicapped people can’t park in handicapped spots on the Ground Floor, but have to drive to the 2nd floor. Otherwise they’d have to drag their body & chair up 2 flights of stairs.
And it’s still not worth $8 billion.
Rode the LYNX last night from 485 to Bobcats arena.
Couple noticable things: the ticket machines are ridiculously slow (if they are even turned on), half of them were broken. You can easily ride for free because there are no turnstiles or anyone asking to see you proof of purchase (thats always good for maintenance revenue :rolleyes:), surely they are going to make everyone buy tickets to board?? The scary types are linger around the stations. An undercover cop on my train told me already the trains have “slammed on their brakes” several times throwing everyone to the floor because of cars not stopping at tracks and a major accident is waiting to happen.
I rode the same, metro. Long ride and retarded to have only two machines on each side and usually only one works.
Yeah I know about the South blvd crossings and it’s gonna happen. The lights are not set up well enough to keep it from happening. Diagonal crossings don’t help either.
[QUOTE=RWORKMAN09;272065]No kidding, I bet they’re really hating it. Panthers suckage+new way to go to the game without parking=a lot less $ for parking lot owners.[/QUOTE]
Maybe this will push these parking lot owners to actually become legitimate tax paying land owners and they develop their properties to fit into downtown instead of being a wasteland of asphalt.
