KCRag Forum

Based on pre-pandemic 2019 ridership per track mile...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEUg9ymgrXk

Notes separately that KC's streetcar has high per mile ridership (nearly 500K/track mile), which is of course easier to do with only a couple+ miles and free fare but other similar short systems have had dismal ridership. Supports the case that KC should build slow and steady, let development catch up then expand further, not create 20+ mile lines of commuter sprawl.

earthling wrote: ↑Sun Jul 10, 2022 4:48 pm Based on pre-pandemic 2019 ridership per track mile...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEUg9ymgrXk

Notes separately that KC's streetcar has high per mile ridership (nearly 500K/track mile), which is of course easier to do with only a couple+ miles and free fare but other similar short systems have had dismal ridership. Supports the case that KC should build slow and steady, let development catch up then expand further, not create 20+ mile lines of commuter sprawl.

Exactly. This is why I’m NOT in favor of building a big long rail system any time soon. We are in a great groove right now where developers are forced to focus on the Main corridor.

There’s literally zero need to build a rail line to the suburbs and start possibly emptying out our core again because of it. Not to mention, Denver can’t get anyone to even ride theirs. Why would we then?

Streetcar is working fantastic. Expand on that and it will do greater rewards than commuter rail easily. The way I see it, it’s actually forcing young professionals to move to the urban core because of the transit. If you let them do that in JoCo then they won’t want to ever move downtown.

5-10 years to build an east/west or north extension -- some of that in different jurisdictions with, um, less drama.
Plenty of time to catch up.

NKC and an E/W expansion should suffice for a decade, with MAX filling in the rest. Let the TOD infill build up before expanding, those who want a streetcar lifestyle will live in the city. Commuter sprawl with 20+ mile lines will spread out the TOD developers if they even ever bite. See video link in first post about STL ranking 6th and why.