Comments on: Light Rail “Off The Table” In Tempe http://raillife.com/blog/2009/09/05/light-rail-%e2%80%9coff-the-table%e2%80%9d-in-tempe/ Phoenix Light Rail news and information Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:59:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: David Bickford http://raillife.com/blog/2009/09/05/light-rail-%e2%80%9coff-the-table%e2%80%9d-in-tempe/#comment-1782 David Bickford Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:51:44 +0000 /blog/2009/09/24/light-rail-%e2%80%9coff-the-table%e2%80%9d-in-tempe#comment-1782 I think it all really comes down to Scottsdale. If Scottsdale were enthusiastic about the prospect of light rail within its borders, we'd have the possibility of a 20+ mile north-south line from the Airpark to Chandler. Under that scenario, light rail would be the obvious choice.<br><br>Unfortunately, Scottsdale's leaders are a mix of those openly opposed to light rail and those too afraid of political retribution to advocate strongly for light rail. As a result, it is doubtful Scottsdale will ever commit to light rail, and even if it does, it will most likely happen after all current funding sources have evaporated. As a result, we're left with a smaller-scale project, and that changes the economics to favor Modern Streetcar or BRT.<br><br>At times, I'm tempted to go easy on Scottsdale and say it's that city's local decision whether or not to participate in light rail. This issue, however, reminds me that Scottsdale's aversion to rail is really hurting the entire metropolitan area. I think it all really comes down to Scottsdale. If Scottsdale were enthusiastic about the prospect of light rail within its borders, we'd have the possibility of a 20+ mile north-south line from the Airpark to Chandler. Under that scenario, light rail would be the obvious choice.

Unfortunately, Scottsdale's leaders are a mix of those openly opposed to light rail and those too afraid of political retribution to advocate strongly for light rail. As a result, it is doubtful Scottsdale will ever commit to light rail, and even if it does, it will most likely happen after all current funding sources have evaporated. As a result, we're left with a smaller-scale project, and that changes the economics to favor Modern Streetcar or BRT.

At times, I'm tempted to go easy on Scottsdale and say it's that city's local decision whether or not to participate in light rail. This issue, however, reminds me that Scottsdale's aversion to rail is really hurting the entire metropolitan area.

]]> By: David_SB http://raillife.com/blog/2009/09/05/light-rail-%e2%80%9coff-the-table%e2%80%9d-in-tempe/#comment-811 David_SB Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:51:44 +0000 /blog/2009/09/24/light-rail-%e2%80%9coff-the-table%e2%80%9d-in-tempe#comment-811 I think it all really comes down to Scottsdale. If Scottsdale were enthusiastic about the prospect of light rail within its borders, we'd have the possibility of a 20+ mile north-south line from the Airpark to Chandler. Under that scenario, light rail would be the obvious choice.<br><br>Unfortunately, Scottsdale's leaders are a mix of those openly opposed to light rail and those too afraid of political retribution to advocate strongly for light rail. As a result, it is doubtful Scottsdale will ever commit to light rail, and even if it does, it will most likely happen after all current funding sources have evaporated. As a result, we're left with a smaller-scale project, and that changes the economics to favor Modern Streetcar or BRT.<br><br>At times, I'm tempted to go easy on Scottsdale and say it's that city's local decision whether or not to participate in light rail. This issue, however, reminds me that Scottsdale's aversion to rail is really hurting the entire metropolitan area. I think it all really comes down to Scottsdale. If Scottsdale were enthusiastic about the prospect of light rail within its borders, we'd have the possibility of a 20+ mile north-south line from the Airpark to Chandler. Under that scenario, light rail would be the obvious choice.

Unfortunately, Scottsdale's leaders are a mix of those openly opposed to light rail and those too afraid of political retribution to advocate strongly for light rail. As a result, it is doubtful Scottsdale will ever commit to light rail, and even if it does, it will most likely happen after all current funding sources have evaporated. As a result, we're left with a smaller-scale project, and that changes the economics to favor Modern Streetcar or BRT.

At times, I'm tempted to go easy on Scottsdale and say it's that city's local decision whether or not to participate in light rail. This issue, however, reminds me that Scottsdale's aversion to rail is really hurting the entire metropolitan area.

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