normalthings wrote: ↑Mon Dec 10, 2018 11:01 pm
A few semi related questions:
-What do you see our streetcar system looking like in 5,15,20, and 50 years?
-When do you think we will expand north to NKC?
-When do you think we will expand east/west?
-Is there any place you envision an additional N/S line?
-How far do you believe we will expand in these directions?
-How can we get involved?
5 years: Streetcar runs from UMKC to the riverfront, bus network revised to feed streetcar spine, regional funding MAYBE (if not, at least our local 3/8-cent sales tax will be re-upped in 2023 before it expires in 2024 -- fares might go away). Regional ridership increase but not enough to offset increased cost of operations (primarily labor). Streetcar operations unionized.
15 years: If we don't ever get regional funding, the bus system continues to shrink and the streetcar continues to do well. Light automation of streetcar and bus possible with customer service function still staffed by humans. If regional funding is approved, it will not include streetcar expansion but instead a low-capital program that massively increases coverage and frequency in three to nine counties (depending on what level voters approve and where).
20 years: Original four cars replaced (25 year lifespan). Still no expansion. All operations automated.
50 years: Humanitarian crisis fueled by climate change. Who the hell knows?
East/west expansion is most likely on Linwood, if it ever happens. It's got space, population, federal support, link to stadiums/Rock Island. TDD model won't work, unless it's a very large TDD (and we know how that went in 2014). If we found the money to build it, we'd go no further than downtown Raytown (as "fast streetcar" in dedicated ROW). No additional N/S expansion.
Join KCRTA. Contact your elected officials. Let them know it's important to you. Vote Democrat (sorry, but it's true). RIDE THE SYSTEM WE HAVE NOW AND DEAL WITH IT.