Author Topic: I'm Smaller than Jax and I have Rail  (Read 29328 times)

Metro Jacksonville

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I'm Smaller than Jax and I have Rail
« on: April 14, 2009, 05:00:00 AM »
I'm Smaller than Jax and I have Rail



Many Jacksonvillians still believe that Jacksonville is too small and not dense enough for rail.  Here is a list of American cities and their rail systems that will put this inaccurate argument to rest.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/1060

BridgeTroll

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Re: I'm Smaller than Jax and I have Rail
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2009, 07:01:52 AM »
The same arguments we have seen used in Jacksonville over and over, have been and were used in all of these cities that now have rail.  The only way to overcome this opposition is leadership from the top and a professional ad campaign to convince the populace it is a worth while investment in infrastructure....
In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

Deuce

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Re: I'm Smaller than Jax and I have Rail
« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2009, 09:12:27 AM »
Do we have a breakdown of which city council members support rail or has no one weighed in on this?

JeffreyS

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Re: I'm Smaller than Jax and I have Rail
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2009, 09:15:26 AM »
When you talk to so many people they think only New York and Chicago have or can support transit.
Lenny Smash

thelakelander

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Re: I'm Smaller than Jax and I have Rail
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2009, 09:23:08 AM »
^Imo, that's because people don't travel as much to these lower tier cities or when they do, they tend to not pay attention to things like this.  In places like New York and Chicago, the physical environment makes using transit the easier option, even for hardcore suburbanites.  Nevertheless, just because many of these places (ex. Salt Lake City, Charlotte, etc.) don't have rail options as extensive as the big boys (ex. NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, etc.), does not mean they aren't successful in what they do have.  With proper planning and integration, success can happen in Jacksonville as well.
« Last Edit: April 14, 2009, 09:25:15 AM by thelakelander »
"A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” - Muhammad Ali

thelakelander

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Re: I'm Smaller than Jax and I have Rail
« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2009, 09:30:25 AM »
Do we have a breakdown of which city council members support rail or has no one weighed in on this?

There are a few that standout.  Councilman Bishop and Councilwoman Johnson immediately come to mind.  There are others as well.  I believe the majority can be bought on board if a real plan with an affordable phasing strategy, touting the economic benefits, were presented.  I also believe, that if JTA can come on board, the council would approve changing the BJP transit $100 million to be used for more than ROW acquisition.
"A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” - Muhammad Ali

billy

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Re: I'm Smaller than Jax and I have Rail
« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2009, 10:38:06 AM »
I was in New Orleans last week, and either rode the streetcar, or walked the entire visit.
(Taxi to and from airport).

We spent less than a third of what it would have been for a rental car. 

I'm a total streetcar believer now.

fsu813

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Re: I'm Smaller than Jax and I have Rail
« Reply #7 on: April 14, 2009, 11:56:20 AM »
what will people do on here once we do have rail?

seems like everyother day a new report or thread is made about it.

just saying.

fsujax

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Re: I'm Smaller than Jax and I have Rail
« Reply #8 on: April 14, 2009, 12:09:44 PM »
Then it will be how terrible it is, it goes no where, costs too much and no one rides!!! haha

thelakelander

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Re: I'm Smaller than Jax and I have Rail
« Reply #9 on: April 14, 2009, 12:16:07 PM »
The vision is that it will become a integral part of the solution in changing Jacksonville's sprawl growth patterns, preserving our environmentally sensitive areas and creating a better community that takes our region to the next level of economic prosperity.

By doing this, we've helped expose the S-Line ROW as a mass transit corridor, fuel JTA commuter rail and streetcar studies and have already saved taxpayers hundreds of millions by altering a plan that called for building dedicated busways all over town and through the heart of downtown's most vibrant streets.

We have the ability to tackle long standing, misguided arguments that have held this community back for decades.  Also, very few media outlets cover this important infrastructure subject on regular basis, despite the fact that this is the time to move forward, considering the Washington's new view on the subject.

Opportunity is knocking.  We're just trying to do whatever we can to force Jax to open the door.

 
"A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” - Muhammad Ali

thelakelander

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Re: I'm Smaller than Jax and I have Rail
« Reply #10 on: April 14, 2009, 12:20:41 PM »
Then it will be how terrible it is, it goes no where, costs too much and no one rides!!! haha

Which is why we continue to hit JTA over the head with route/design selection and affordable funding solutions on topics like the streetcar, commuter rail and Amtrak.  To make sure the argument mentioned in the quote does not take place, its important that the initial selected rail corridors are virtually guaranteed to be a success.  Both in terms of ridership and fiscal responsibility.
"A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” - Muhammad Ali

David

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Re: I'm Smaller than Jax and I have Rail
« Reply #11 on: April 14, 2009, 03:24:48 PM »
what will people do on here once we do have rail?

seems like everyother day a new report or thread is made about it.

just saying.

We'll argue about what soft drinks should be called then. No it's soda, no it's sprite! No it's pop!

MetroJax has been adamant about pushing light rail/alternative transportation since...for as long as I can remember. It's good to see someone taking interest in it, even if it's just at a grass roots level right now. I don’t know enough on the subject so I usually just read about the alt transit articles without commenting, but it does seem apparent that the city has no interest in this for the near future.....unless someone can show proof they are otherwise.

« Last Edit: April 14, 2009, 03:27:43 PM by David »

thelakelander

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Re: I'm Smaller than Jax and I have Rail
« Reply #12 on: April 14, 2009, 03:42:31 PM »
I think the city is being forced to deal with it. Five years ago, there was no talk about commuter rail and streetcars.  We were ignorantly setting ourselves up to spend a billion on dedicated busways.  While the Mayor's office may be more interested in a landfill becoming their legacy project, we have grown to the point of where JTA is working rail into their plans.  There's even talk about supporting enhanced Amtrak service.

When we started this site a few years back, JTA was fighting our rail argument every chance they got.  Comments ranged from the S-Line being too "curvy" for rail, Jax not dense enough and rail is too expensive to we'll build BRT first, then convert it into light rail.  One by one, we crushed those wobbly curve balls right out the park by showing real examples that proved otherwise.  At the very least, that silliness has ceased from our transit agency.

Now we just have to continue to hit the Mayor's office over the head until they embrace the message.
"A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” - Muhammad Ali

tufsu1

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Re: I'm Smaller than Jax and I have Rail
« Reply #13 on: April 14, 2009, 06:11:10 PM »
and when it comes to commuter rail, getting the other counties on-board is a must....many folks in Nassau, Clay, and St. Johns have projects like the outer beltway (north and south) and 9B as their top prioirities!

stjr

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Re: I'm Smaller than Jax and I have Rail
« Reply #14 on: April 14, 2009, 08:19:53 PM »
Then it will be how terrible it is, it goes no where, costs too much and no one rides!!! haha

Really, who would do that?  ;D
Hey!  Whatever happened to just plain ol' COMMON SENSE!!