mfastx

Strange to spend all LRT money on the east and north sides of town, when the much denser areas that actually support rail transit are all on the west side. Still, would be a nice improvement. Still waiting on that University rail line promised with the 2003 referendum...

For Westheimer, a subway would be optimal which is what I had in mind. Yes it'd be a lot of money but well worth it in the long run, next 100 years or so. The ridership numbers in the plan are just backwards, putting LRT (or optimally, HRT but I understand that is not realistic at this point) in those higher ridership corridors would bring even more ridership than BRT. The orignal plan on Richmond would work well too, that's wide enough for a surface line.

I'll always support transit improvements of any kind so on principal I do support this plan, but it's truly baffling the decisions they're making on where to put rail vs. BRT corridors. They're doing the exact opposite of what they should be doing, which is focusing rail on more dense corridors with higher ridership potential and BRT on less dense areas. It's truly mystifying and would be a massive misuse of money. What is the use of having TWO lines going to Hobby, take one of those lines and the north line extension and make it an east-west route along Westheimer or Richmond. Just makes too much sense I suppose.

I agree that it looks like it will end up being BRT, but if there's any corridor in Houston that's more appropriate for rail than BRT, it's the western corridors such as Richmond and Westheimer connecting Downtown and Uptown. Not at least trying for rail on these corridors would be a mistake as opting for BRT vs rail would limit transit ridership potential in the area.

Great news for Metro, but I have my doubts that they are in a position to begin construction on the old University line anytime soon. Seems like they've given up on the line entirely. Plus, the law that Culberson got passed prohibiting federal funds for any rail down Richmond presumably still needs to be overturned.

Such a shame this never got built. There are highrises all over Houston right next to single family homes. Beautiful building.

Don't think that link is working, I'd be very intrigued if this is legit.

Agreed. I'm very dubious of that project btw. If it were rail, that projection would be much more easily attainable.

I like the idea of connecting the airports by rail, but I am a little disappointed at how much light rail they're proposing in what they call "dense" areas. The actual "dense" areas have no rail going to them at all (basically the entire west side of Houston). For the one rail line going towards the west side, having it in the middle of I-10 will also limit ridership. But BRT can work as well so hopefully something gets done on the west side. I just think it's backwards, BRT is better served on the east side areas with fewer population.

So what was wrong with the old ramp again? Just old?

This thing is sexy. Love the orientation.

One of the better garages in Htown.

It's no Deyaar Post Oak but I'll take it!

Even if the TCR station isn't in an optimal location, it makes too much sense for Amtrak to be moved there. One thing that would have to happen is that a platform compatible with Amtrak must be constructed. Amtrak's superliner cars which are used on the Sunset Limited can only be accessed via a low floor platform (15" above the rail). Typically, HSR trains use high floor platforms (48" above the rail). Also, the platform would have to be built adjacent to the existing UP trackage. Presumably, the HSR platforms will be elevated if the rendering is anything to go by, so you'd have platforms elevated and at ground level. Currently, the Sunset would have to do a short reverse move to access the station. The Sunset already does a reverse move leaving Houston eastbound and reverse moves are fairly common on Amtrak, so this shouldn't be an issue. Ultimately, the benefit of having one station for both Amtrak and TCR would be to allow both passengers to access food options, rental car and parking which would be at the station. Optimally, you'd have all the bus companies at the station too to make things even more efficient. All that being said, I don't see this happening.

And this is *not* how you do one lol.