VP Calls for More Rail Transit
Crossposted at Projectile Politics
Yglesias brings up a good point about today's Governor's Association meeting in Philadelphia. Biden issued a speech laying out some reasons that we should promote public transportation, specifically rail transit. Focusing Obama's stated desire to promote public works projects on public transportation would be incredibly smart. There are still many American cities that have sub-par transportation systems within the city and almost non-existent rail options from the 'burbs.
Jumpstarting a massive rail construction program would kill many birds with one giant, expensive stone. It would prompt suburbanites who live outside the city to visit and spend on urban businesses and entertainment; it would provide cheap, public transportation for urban workers who live outside the city; and most importantly, it would drastically reduce the number of people who commute in personal vehicles, and thereby benefit our degraded, asthma-ridden natural environment.
Seattle is a good example of the need for more rail-centric public transportation. Within the city, it is fairly easy to get around using the bus system. But there is no rail transit besides the monorail that goes about three blocks and was created as spectacle for the World's Fair in 1962.
But a Light Rail will be completed next year to transport people from SeaTac airport to downtown Seattle and back. I'm very glad that this is happening, but its impact will not reach its potential unless complemented by a more extensive rail program becuase traffic west into Seattle from the Eastside is awful for hours every morning and evening. And the same goes for along I-5 north of the city center. Both are areas that the Light Rail will not service.
Biden's suggestion for developing more rail transit would help cities like Seattle develop their rail programs to benefit workers, drivers, and the environment.
Yglesias brings up a good point about today's Governor's Association meeting in Philadelphia. Biden issued a speech laying out some reasons that we should promote public transportation, specifically rail transit. Focusing Obama's stated desire to promote public works projects on public transportation would be incredibly smart. There are still many American cities that have sub-par transportation systems within the city and almost non-existent rail options from the 'burbs.
Jumpstarting a massive rail construction program would kill many birds with one giant, expensive stone. It would prompt suburbanites who live outside the city to visit and spend on urban businesses and entertainment; it would provide cheap, public transportation for urban workers who live outside the city; and most importantly, it would drastically reduce the number of people who commute in personal vehicles, and thereby benefit our degraded, asthma-ridden natural environment.
Seattle is a good example of the need for more rail-centric public transportation. Within the city, it is fairly easy to get around using the bus system. But there is no rail transit besides the monorail that goes about three blocks and was created as spectacle for the World's Fair in 1962.
But a Light Rail will be completed next year to transport people from SeaTac airport to downtown Seattle and back. I'm very glad that this is happening, but its impact will not reach its potential unless complemented by a more extensive rail program becuase traffic west into Seattle from the Eastside is awful for hours every morning and evening. And the same goes for along I-5 north of the city center. Both are areas that the Light Rail will not service.
Biden's suggestion for developing more rail transit would help cities like Seattle develop their rail programs to benefit workers, drivers, and the environment.
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We heard him before he spoke. Unless the courts overturns the vote in Santa Clara county (San Jose is the county seat) the results from this past election will go from SFO to San Jose, Pittsburgh, CA, Dublin-Pleasanton, CA and back. Impressive but it would be nice if it there was direct line between San Francisco and San Jose.
On the other hand, California voters approved a ballot measure to build high-speed rail between Sacramento and San Francisco to San Diego
December 2, 2008 8:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
One of the major failures in American infrastructure was its decision to invest in highways and personal automobiles rather than public transportation, and more importantly, a national rail system. Period.
December 2, 2008 9:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
It was hardly a "decision" in the normal sense of the word. It is well documented that General Motors (and also the other major auto manufacturers) engaged in wholesale bribery of local elected and appointed officials to kill of the various streetcar and rail lines used in cities throughout the nation. They did this in the 40's and 50's primarily. The bribes helped local policy makers "decide" to kill their rail systems and begin purchasing buses. The auto companies also invested a huge amount of resources in making sure the interestate highway system faciliatated urban sprawl and the necessity of private individual autos as the primary transportation means of most families and workers. Thus, it might be more accurately said that it is a shame that America was so corrupt and shortsighted over the past 60 years in terms of transportation alternatives.
December 3, 2008 4:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sure, but no matter how you slice it, America's investment in highways and automobiles over a national rail system was a huge mistake.
December 3, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
In our area there was a trolley system long ago, that ran out to areas that are now suburbs, but formerly were more like dairy farms or vacation spots by little lakes.
The trolley tracks were removed long ago. But now, how helpful they would be!
So many tracks were left to rust and ruin - or were taken up. Canals filled in.
Thanks for the post! You're on a roll here!
December 3, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
This was due to Ike in the 1950's.
December 3, 2008 7:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Los Angeles county voters passed a sales tax increase last month for mass transit funding. Interesting it is that in L.A., the place where mass transit ought to have been constructed first off, from downtown L.A. west to Santa Monica, this has not happened, despite all of the light rail lines that have been constructed, dual use of railroad corridors for both freight and transit to distant suburbs as well as the 17 mile subway through Hollywood to the San Fernando Valley (funded during the Clinton administration).
Major streets and boulevards through the Wilshire corridor out west to Santa Monica still remain clogged with buses. This situation is the major public transit mess in America. Outside of Manhattan and downtown Chicago, the Wilshire corridor is by far the most heavilly constructed urban area in the country.
Congress should authorize funds for design and construction of The Subway To The Sea. It should all be constructed at once. Not in segments.
December 2, 2008 11:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
My only objection to rail transit is when it takes one away from the street. Trolleys make a lot of sense to me because they follow the street, taking you past all sorts of places you might need to visit. Subways make some sense in the city, where they pop up near some of those useful places, but in the suburbs they seem to end up at grim, remote stations isolated by vast parking lots. like at Shady Grove, the stop I knew best on the DC Metrorail.
Most transit seems designed to get you from home in the suburbs to a job the city. I'd like to see something to actually replace the car for other trips as well.
December 3, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
brbruchwal, we're actually building a lot more light rail in Seattle than just from Sea-Tac to downtown.
Groundbreaking is in a month or so on continuing northward (underground) via Capitol Hill to the University District. We also just funded 34 more miles - including to Bellevue on the eastside, north to Lynnwood, and south to Federal Way. We will be looking for federal money to help, so this is good news.
I also want to reply to Donal:
Not all rail transit is created alike. The complaints you have don't apply to what Seattle just built, for instance - we have only one station with a park and ride in the line that opens next year. All but two of thirteen stops are in-city, and one of those two is at the airport - a trip that needs replacing, but isn't home to work!
The real key to rail transit is that in the long run, your trips move to it. We tried trolleys, and when oil was cheap, they were replaced. With rail in its own right of way, it lasts long enough to create density around it, and then you don't need a car at all.
December 3, 2008 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thats great! Thanks for the info.
December 3, 2008 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do you mean Seattle Streetcar?
http://seattlestreetcar.com/map/
Unlike traditional streetcars/trolleys/trams, newer light rail has tended more and more to run on a dedicated right-of-way.
Most roads have a history, and I think the history is worth following. When you build bypasses, superhighways and such, you create dead zones in the urban fabric, and the same often goes for new rail lines that don't follow the roads.
December 3, 2008 9:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was thinking along these lines as well. Too many cities (like my beloved MKE) have crappy, subpar public transit. And rail is virtually nonexistent outside the northeast corridor and the west coast.
Better transit infrastructure would - and I'm not exaggerating - revolutionize transportation and labor throughout the country. Maybe with Biden championing it, we'll get moving on this important issue.
December 3, 2008 6:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is so nice to have an incoming VP with a brain as opposed to the maniacal "dark side" Cheney.
December 3, 2008 7:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great news, brbuchwal! I've been a lifelong fan of both rail and the city of Detroit - not a lot of common ground there. Detroit used to have trolleys and commuter rail before the car industry put a stop to all that in the 50s. Now public transportation in The D consists of dirty, unreliable buses and the downtown People Mover, aka the "Train to Nowhere."
For years there's been talk of building light rail into the suburbs or expanding the People Mover, but of course nothing's happened. Maybe some real pressure and genuine support from Biden and the rest of the federal government will finally bring results.
How about slipping light rail funding for Detroit into the Big 3 bailout? That would have a certain poetic beauty to it. :)
December 3, 2008 7:37 PM | Reply | Permalink