samagon Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 (edited) I'd venture to guess that for people who live and work in downtown the light rail probably isn't a huge draw from a commute standpoint (regardless of income level). From an amenity standpoint though? It's a big enough deal that marketing departments within these condo/apartment complex spend time promoting the proximity of their location to the rail. Why spend all that money having advertisements that are promoting proximity to rail if no one wants to use it? It's not like it's an afterthought. We'd need access to the people who did the study to get data based specifically on what you are trying to prove through this level of the study, but the problem is 35% of the people who participated earn under $75k annually. Access to the people who did the study could remove the people who are ruining the study for you. 35% isn't a small number. I'm going back to eating popcorn now. Edited June 19, 2015 by samagon 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Vik Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Ahh more deflecting. My source showed that even low six figure commuters do not use local/rail service very often if at all in Houston. But again nice try deflecting. so, how about my question?You're a clown and a sensationalist troll. You have deflected every point made to you. Still waiting you to answer samagon and others. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
102IAHexpress Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 (edited) Ahh, now the name calling approach. okay. I'm the troll? haha. I have less than two hundred posts on this forum. Do you have anything better to do than post on the internet? You post too much. Anyways are you going to answer my question or not? You can say no. Edited June 19, 2015 by 102IAHexpress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Vik Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Ahh, now the name calling approach. okay. I'm the troll? haha. I have less than two hundred posts on this forum. Do you have anything better to do than post on the internet? You post too much.Anyways are you going to answer my question or not? You can say no.You are one of the biggest trolls in the history of haif. The fact you've done it so quickly is remarkable and pathetic at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
102IAHexpress Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Try again. I've been a member since 2007. hardly ever post. You're the one with posting problem. So not going to answer my question? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Be careful bringing up the street car issue, we won't be able to stop some of our slick members here...Well, it wasn't the street car topic per se, but you can't say I didn't warn you... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Vik Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Try again. I've been a member since 2007. hardly ever post. You're the one with posting problem. So not going to answer my question?The reason people drive more is because the system is set up to favor cars. Take away mandatory parking requirements and make all parking downtown $500 a month and raise toll prices to $10 one way and I guarantee you the "wealthy" people would be on the bus and train like anyone else. But you're too much of a moron to realize that. Keep on trolling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryDierker Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 The reason people drive more is because the system is set up to favor cars. Take away mandatory parking requirements and make all parking downtown $500 a month and raise toll prices to $10 one way and I guarantee you the "wealthy" people would be on the bus and train like anyone else. But you're too much of a moron to realize that. Keep on trolling Or they'd just find a job in the energy corridor, westchase, the woodlands, etc. You're trying to kill downtown. Don't kill downtown. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Lol "this kills the downtown" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Vik Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Or they'd just find a job in the energy corridor, westchase, the woodlands, etc. You're trying to kill downtown. Don't kill downtown.I'm talking about the whole city Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 In an effort to get things back, I drove along the green route and passed by workers digging up squares of sidewalk next to the coffee factory, looks like they're planting trees there which is nice.Also, workers were at the end of the working route removing stripes & markers on the temporary asphalt; looks like they're gearing up for construction on the overpass. There was also a sign that said " Harrisburg Overpass Fall 2016"If that's what they're aiming for, I expect a pretty quick schedule for those guys. Building a bridge for cars alone is a long process. Add light rail lines? That's impressive 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
102IAHexpress Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 The reason people drive more is because the system is set up to favor cars. Take away mandatory parking requirements and make all parking downtown $500 a month and raise toll prices to $10 one way and I guarantee you the "wealthy" people would be on the bus and train like anyone else. But you're too much of a moron to realize that. Keep on trolling Now you're making a new claim without backing it up. interesting. And since no city/county official is proposing or will ever propose the SlickVic vision of raising a tax on driving, removing parking requirements, etc. I'll just add it to the deflection list. Obviously you cannot answer my question. I guess you're too proud or something? I don't know. But for everyone else that is actually having a discussion, can we all agree that the light rail perhaps does not spur as much development as yall think it does? just perhaps? Is there at least that possibility? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 can we all agree that the light rail perhaps does not spur as much development as yall think it does? just perhaps? Is there at least that possibility?No. You clearly aren't giving rail enough credit just because you and a few of your neighbors don't ride the rail. Over 40,000 people do. The red line is the most successful modern day light rail line in the country.. Yeah it took a while for developers to catch on (rail is still a foreign concept for many Houstonians), but the benefits are clear and you can bet your bottom dollar the areas along the rail lines will be some of the first to be redeveloped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Vik Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Now you're making a new claim without backing it up. interesting. And since no city/county official is proposing or will ever propose the SlickVic vision of raising a tax on driving, removing parking requirements, etc. I'll just add it to the deflection list.Obviously you cannot answer my question. I guess you're too proud or something? I don't know.But for everyone else that is actually having a discussion, can we all agree that the light rail perhaps does not spur as much development as yall think it does? just perhaps? Is there at least that possibility?Without backing what up? Look at the story of this country. It's very obvious. Then look at London or New York or other cities that don't obsess around the automobile and see how society functions. You're the laziest debator in the history of this board. At least try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
102IAHexpress Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 (edited) More deflection by Slick. Seriously? NYC and London? Some of the most densely populated cities in the world? How about you answer my question about HOUSTON. Stop being a lazy debator. Don't switch topics. If you want to discuss rail in NYC and London you are free to start a thread. But we're talking about Houston light rail. And yall are making some pretty big claims about our light rail and are not able to back them up. I'm just asking for some back up. Cloud, You're saying i'm not giving rail enough credit? Okay, lets switch the assumption. What if I make the claim that all the recent downtown development is because of all the bus routes that flow into downtown? Which is to say, our bus routes have spurred hundreds of millions of dollars in development. Our bus routes are the reason Downtown is booming? Our bus routes are what is driving developers to build luxury high rises and office towers. How does that sound to you? Would I sound like i was smoking something if i made that claim? Edited June 21, 2015 by 102IAHexpress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 I have a Mercedes s550 and ride public transport all the time. And a 7 figure bank account with properties in various nations on top of that. Not sure what you're trying to prove here tough guy. Not to mention I know people that live in rice lofts that ride the rail fairly often. So you're full of it. Isn't it wonderful that we can pretend to be whatever we want on the internet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 You're a clown and a sensationalist troll. You have deflected every point made to you. Still waiting you to answer samagon and others. ROFLMAO... re: just about every thread you've ever posted to. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Vik Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 More deflection by Slick.Seriously? NYC and London? Some of the most densely populated cities in the world? How about you answer my question about HOUSTON. Stop being a lazy debator. Don't switch topics. If you want to discuss rail in NYC and London you are free to start a thread. But we're talking about Houston light rail. And yall are making some pretty big claims about our light rail and are not able to back them up. I'm just asking for some back up.Cloud,You're saying i'm not giving rail enough credit? Okay, lets switch the assumption. What if I make the claim that all the recent downtown development is because of all the bus routes that flow into downtown? Which is to say, our bus routes have spurred hundreds of millions of dollars in development. Our bus routes are the reason Downtown is booming? Our bus routes are what is driving developers to build luxury high rises and office towers. How does that sound to you? Would I sound like i was smoking something if i made that claim?You're smoking crack, I recommend you stop, it's a bad habit. Proclaiming buses that have been running for three decades have spurred development is frankly stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 You're smoking crack, I recommend you stop, it's a bad habit. Proclaiming buses that have been running for three decades have spurred development is frankly stupid. I would reccommend you stop smoking crack and reread that post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 The reason people drive more is because the system is set up to favor cars. Take away mandatory parking requirements and make all parking downtown $500 a month and raise toll prices to $10 one way and I guarantee you the "wealthy" people would be on the bus and train like anyone else. But you're too much of a moron to realize that. Keep on trolling The Katy tollway already costs $7 one way during peak hours and the top end of contract rates were already pushing $400 in 2014. Try again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 I hate all of you 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Vik Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 I would reccommend you stop smoking crack and reread that post.Re read this entire thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryDierker Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 With the cost of crack these days, who can afford tolls? 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astros148 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 Now before I say what im going to say in this post, I was born and raised in London and lived there for 15+ years. I was riding back on the red line from the Museum District to my place at the Houston House when something funny happened. As im riding the train, 6 metro officers come into the train at the Mcgowen stop and start yelling that they are going to start checking tickets. There obviously making a big scene and speaking loudly all at the same time DOING NOTHING. They were literally just standing there yelling how they are going to check tickets. All the hobos and non ticketed people get afraid and at the next stop they all get off the train. Remind you, the metro officers had not checked ONE SINGLE TICKET FOR ANY PASSENGER! I At this point they all start laughing and proclaim how they made all the bums get off the train. I then proceed to ask the officers how come they didnt check any tickets and they said it wouldnt matter because the bums and anyone else wouldnt have the money to pay the tickets so they do these scare tactics. Then I start making small talk and ask them why doesnt metro build underground. The two officers quickily get defensive and claim that because houston is under sea level it would be impossible to build underground. I then proceed to tell them that numerous other cities that are below sea level have also built underground trains and they tell me i have no idea what im talking about lol. We need to all admit that metro is the biggest joke of an organization! The two new rails that they spent almost a billion dollars is a complete WASTE OF MONEY! Instead of expanding the red line to the airport or having the Southeast line connect to hobby make the line USELESS. They should have spent the money better instead of building rail that doesnt even give the residents living in the east district access to the line. The line isnt close enough for any of the residents to catch it hence making it useless for most people. I wouldnt be suprised if the new lines have some of the lowest ridership numbers ! Nd All the residents I have spoken to that live at Skyhouse or Houston House NEVER take the light rail anywhere. They all say it is far too insufficient and unreliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 LOL. You think it's a waste but you would have preferred us to build a subway. Do you know how expensive that would have been? Do you know we had to build the original line without federal aid? Where would you have come up with the extra billion or two it would have cost? Also, how is connecting two transit centers, The University of Houston, Texas Southern University, and the East End to the original line a waste? Just because it doesn't currently go to Hobby? Going further, light rail to IAH would be a disaster. There would be far too many stops and the train is too slow to make that distance worthwhile. IAH needs a heavy rail connection to downtown. Someday, that might come. Lastly, every resident you have spoken with at Skyhouse/Houston House says the rail is too insufficient and unreliable? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astros148 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 LOL. You think it's a waste but you would have preferred us to build a subway. Do you know how expensive that would have been? Do you know we had to build the original line without federal aid? Where would you have come up with the extra billion or two it would have cost? Also, how is connecting two transit centers, The University of Houston, Texas Southern University, and the East End to the original line a waste? Just because it doesn't currently go to Hobby? Going further, light rail to IAH would be a disaster. There would be far too many stops and the train is too slow to make that distance worthwhile. IAH needs a heavy rail connection to downtown. Someday, that might come. Lastly, every resident you have spoken with at Skyhouse/Houston House says the rail is too insufficient and unreliable? Hardly ANYONE rides the lightrail from skyhouse/houston house and the stop is literally right in front of the entrance. The majority of the residents would much rather take an uber to market square/midtown. The inefficiency of the lightrail to go through the heart of midtown is going to cost it thousands of ridership. Why does everyone think that downtown residents ride the light rail? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 Hardly ANYONE rides the lightrail from skyhouse/houston house and the stop is literally right in front of the entrance. The majority of the residents would much rather take an uber to market square/midtown. The inefficiency of the lightrail to go through the heart of midtown is going to cost it thousands of ridership. Why does everyone think that downtown residents ride the light rail?Source required Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 (edited) At last check, only 40% of Skyhouse was rented out and zero of the retail spaces have opened (one rented to a pizza joint). Why is the light rail inefficient through midtown? Too many stops? Too slow? Bad location? I don't get it. As far as anecdotal evidence, I have two friends who are doctors that live in Commerce Towers and both ride the rail to work @ TMC. They also OWN their places (likely meaning more wealth than renters). Edited June 22, 2015 by KinkaidAlum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astros148 Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 It doesnt go through the popular parts of midtown aka west gray and bagby and where the bars are on Louisana.The stops that it does go through, there a bunch of hobos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Vik Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 It doesnt go through the popular parts of midtown aka west gray and bagby and where the bars are on Louisana.The stops that it does go through, there a bunch of hobos1. It's not that far of a walk from downtown transit center or McGowen to anywhere in midtown2. For someone from London I'm surprised you're scared of poor people and minorities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Vik Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Hardly ANYONE rides the lightrail from skyhouse/houston house and the stop is literally right in front of the entrance. The majority of the residents would much rather take an uber to market square/midtown. The inefficiency of the lightrail to go through the heart of midtown is going to cost it thousands of ridership. Why does everyone think that downtown residents ride the light rail?How is it inefficient? It runs more frequently than the bus and is still $1.25. The fact you have to walk a few minutes shows the laziness of people that live here more than anything. And I have coworkers that live in Houston house and sky house that ride the rail daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Idk about inefficient - I take it from Houston House to market square a lot. Though you're right that it is a bit east of the primary areas in Midtown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfastx Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 I mean seriously you can't expect random METRO cops to really know why we didn't build underground. It'd be insanely expensive to build underground here, but it's possible. In the 80s the heavy rail plan included a subway in downtown and parts of Uptown. Politics got in the way though and we had to build the original line with local funds, didn't have enough money to build underground. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 It doesnt go through the popular parts of midtown aka west gray and bagby and where the bars are on Louisana.The stops that it does go through, there a bunch of hobos Seriously? West Gray and Bagby is about a 5-10 min walk from the light rail -.- 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 Seriously? West Gray and Bagby is about a 5-10 min walk from the light rail -.-Bug whu 'bout muh scooter 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astros148 Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 Have you walked that 5-10 min? That greyhound and bus stops get super sketchy. No one wants to go through that area drunk or esp if you're a girl 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 A midtown streetcar or "GreenLink" with a few light rail stops would be ideal.. Have it hit the local bars at nights and cruise the residential areas during the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Heaven forbid society learns to not be such a piece of Sh!te but granted it's still currently not ok for the chicas to be walking alone at night unless they're the badass kind like in Agents of Shield 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astros148 Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Heaven forbid society learns to not be such a piece of Sh!te but granted it's still currently not ok for the chicas to be walking alone at night unless they're the badass kind like in Agents of Shield WTF are you talking about? Have you EVER been to midtown to go out? You think someone is going to walk from the downtown transit center in bar/clubbing entire and go through that mcdonalds/grey hound/2016 main area ? Do us a favor and try it tonight and let me know how it works for you. Females get assaulted/sexually assaulted as a higher rate then males do, so wtf are you even trying to say? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 WTF are you talking about? Have you EVER been to midtown to go out? You think someone is going to walk from the downtown transit center in bar/clubbing entire and go through that mcdonalds/grey hound/2016 main area ? Do us a favor and try it tonight and let me know how it works for you. Females get assaulted/sexually assaulted as a higher rate then males do, so wtf are you even trying to say?I said I agreed with that but that's really not an excuse because society in general shouldn't be that Sh!!ty in the first place?If it's really not that clear yet, I have taken nothing posted here seriously since last week and will continue to do so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 on the real though.. if there isn't already something like this, there should be... A midtown "GreenLink" with a few light rail stops would be ideal.. Have it hit the local bars at nights and cruise the residential areas during the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samagon Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 The best build out will eventually be to have local circulators everywhere that feed into the light rail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Vik Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Have you walked that 5-10 min? That greyhound and bus stops get super sketchy. No one wants to go through that area drunk or esp if you're a girlGet off at McGowen and walk down McGowen to smith or brazos or bagby and make a right. It's not that bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 (edited) WTF are you talking about? Have you EVER been to midtown to go out? You think someone is going to walk from the downtown transit center in bar/clubbing entire and go through that mcdonalds/grey hound/2016 main area ? Do us a favor and try it tonight and let me know how it works for you. Females get assaulted/sexually assaulted as a higher rate then males do, so wtf are you even trying to say?(Apparently mandatory disclaimer...) Yes, of course, one should always have some situational awareness so as not to get mugged. Which can happen in the parking garage at the flippin' Galleria, or be perpetrated by your Uber driver. (Plus apparently mandatory additional acknowledgement of what ought to be glaringly obvious...) And yes, women in clubbing clothing on their third mojito have legitimate safety concerns that sober big burly guys might not have. Still... downtown/midtown has a lot less street crime than it used to. This is a big city with a lot of people. Part of the deal that comes with having a lot of people is that while Mayberry may have had only one Otis, we have a lot of Otises - the vast majority of whom are roughly as harmless as Otis. Icky, but not really that huge a threat as long as you keep your space around you, keep your eyes open, and keep moving. Yep, of course that is difficult to do in six inch pumps, or if you're hammered. Those are situations where a designated driver or a cab probably make more sense than walking six blocks, even if those six blocks are in West U. Public transportation and public streets are just that - public. And "public" includes people who sometimes don't look or act or even smell just like you. But just being different doesn't mean that they're going to knife you. Either learn to deal with it, or don't leave whatever little bubble there is that keeps you warm. Edit: For the record, I've been walking on Main Street in Midtown well after dark with a few beers in me since The Island was a thing. Edited June 27, 2015 by mollusk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astros148 Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 well on fridays and Saturdays the lightrail going from fannin up north stops running at 1:40 ... so what sense does it make if you take the light rail and cant even ride it back once it closes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 idk, maybe your plan your trip accordingly so that you don't miss out on a ride back to your vehicle if you took the tram to midtown? Just throwing out wide guesses here 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Vik Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 well on fridays and Saturdays the lightrail going from fannin up north stops running at 1:40 ... so what sense does it make if you take the light rail and cant even ride it back once it closes?The last train southbound is after 2 I believe. But regardless people should plan to make it back, or catch a cab or uber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Vik Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 The best build out will eventually be to have local circulators everywhere that feed into the light rail.The idea in most cities is to have local buses that feed into rail stations. Parking at stations though convenient pretty much goes against the theory of transport authorities, particularly in areas where land is at a premium, and also encourages driving to an extent. That being said a park and ride is kind of a compromise I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronTiger Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Ohhhhh, Tiger, Tiger, Tiger... Please, when you come to The Big City again, try not to enter an intersection unless you know you will be able to clear it - train or no train. People who park in the middle of intersections with nowhere to go when their light turns red just create gridlock for the cross street. True story: I heard a police siren while stuck and freaked out because I thought they were going to ticket me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 True story: I heard a police siren while stuck and freaked out because I thought they were going to ticket me. In Houston, you have to try much harder than that to get a ticket. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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