Aug 5, 2010: China's Big Bus

Clodfobble · 08-05-2010, 02:45 PM

Every 5 years or so, there's a big intiative to build a "light rail" system in Austin, but so far it's been voted down every time. Among other arguments, opponents are always pointing to the neverending construction boondoggle that was supposed to be light rail in Dallas, but to my knowledge still isn't operable after more than a decade.

glatt · 08-05-2010, 03:18 PM

I think it was stupid to rip the streetcar rails out in the first place and I think it's pretty silly to go through the bother to reinstall them again. The only good thing about streetcars over buses is that they are viewed as upscale. Admittedly, they run on electricity so they don't add to smog in the city center, but many buses run on natural gas, which is also very clean.

Buses are cheaper, and more flexible. If populations shift, you can drive the bus to a different neighborhood. Changing bus routes is easy. With rails, you are stuck literally in a rut. You can't drive around traffic jams. If some jerk in a car is outside of his lane and is blocking the track just by an inch or two, you have to just sit there and wait for him to move.

08-05-2010, 02:45 PM	#1
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	Every 5 years or so, there's a big intiative to build a "light rail" system in Austin, but so far it's been voted down every time. Among other arguments, opponents are always pointing to the neverending construction boondoggle that was supposed to be light rail in Dallas, but to my knowledge still isn't operable after more than a decade. __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

08-05-2010, 03:18 PM	#2
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I think it was stupid to rip the streetcar rails out in the first place and I think it's pretty silly to go through the bother to reinstall them again. The only good thing about streetcars over buses is that they are viewed as upscale. Admittedly, they run on electricity so they don't add to smog in the city center, but many buses run on natural gas, which is also very clean. Buses are cheaper, and more flexible. If populations shift, you can drive the bus to a different neighborhood. Changing bus routes is easy. With rails, you are stuck literally in a rut. You can't drive around traffic jams. If some jerk in a car is outside of his lane and is blocking the track just by an inch or two, you have to just sit there and wait for him to move.

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