tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-479664620028826150.post7944107034852563467..comments2024-02-02T02:34:32.363-06:00Comments on Huntsville Development News: It's time to talk transit.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07020407035261594753noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-479664620028826150.post-72186879682866737792009-05-05T14:55:00.000-05:002009-05-05T14:55:00.000-05:00I'd be happy to take mass transit of any form if i...I'd be happy to take mass transit of any form if it was even remotely convenient. The problem as I see it is the lack of direct non-stop/few-stop routes.<br /><br />The bus routes ought to mesh together more smoothly. There ought to be direct routes from various high-traffic areas of the city, with separate local in-neighborhood routes that do nothing other than support the local direct route bus stop.<br /><br />For example: Many people commute from east Huntsville (Hampton Cove) to Research Park. There ought to be a bus terminal in the area of Sutton Rd./431 which is served by local buses that run relatively short routes through various neighborhoods with many stops. A commuter would wait for the bus at the nearest stop in his neighborhood. That bus would take him to the Sutton/431 terminal. From there, the commuter would wait for the next express bus to the Research Park terminal. From there, he would get on the local bus route.<br /><br />This would be similar to the way that many cities use their bus routes to support metro/light rail systems.<br /><br />Bottom line, no one wants to spend an absurd amount of time taking circuitous routes to work - and very often, the reliability/wait for connections is unreasonable. Shortening the local routes and connecting terminals with express buses would address those problems.<br /><br />Cost would be somewhat higher, but dramatically cheaper than building a road network to support short-lived periods of peak use. It's much easier to add bus routes than widen roads.<br /><br />The most important aspect is scale. My plan would require costs be no more than driving, and comparable transit times, but overall RELIABILITY - which means it couldn't be done in half-measures. Tiptoeing into it will only create problems and thereby negative associations with buses. Go big, or don't go at all.<br /><br />-DvlsAdvc8Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-479664620028826150.post-18776286467355913362009-05-03T20:44:00.000-05:002009-05-03T20:44:00.000-05:00@ Cody: You're exactly right about having the Arse...<B>@ Cody:</B> You're exactly right about having the Arsenal on board with the transit system, though I think it would be great if buses were able to bypass the gates using dedicated lanes and disembark at a central station within. Security issues notwithstanding, the buses would have the "advantage" of being able to breeze past gate traffic. <br /><br /><B>@ Anonymous:</B> I get the feeling that there are lots of people in Huntsville who feel the same way.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07020407035261594753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-479664620028826150.post-52805197565737079932009-05-03T13:59:00.000-05:002009-05-03T13:59:00.000-05:00"Its extent/hours are limited."
Bingo! I would h..."Its extent/hours are limited."<br /><br />Bingo! I would happily spend up to $5/workday to not have to use my car, but I often work 9-hour days making the bus system simply impossible for me. <br /><br />I think the problem was the bus system was designed for tourists and not workers, which is a shame. There is a stop near where I live and not too far from where I work, but I must drive past it everyday or I'd be stranded at the end of the day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-479664620028826150.post-83272635855683691872009-05-03T09:15:00.000-05:002009-05-03T09:15:00.000-05:00One key to the success of this is if Redstone Arse...One key to the success of this is if Redstone Arsenal would cooperate with the plan and allow buses to pass through the gates quickly. Of course, something would have to be in place to maintain security, but I think any transit system in Huntsville will have to include something that interfaces with Redstone Arsenal. The buses could run up to the gates, and let people out to cross through where there would be a turnstile that would only allow entry when someone passes their badge over a card reader. Then, on the arsenal side of the gate, their own bus or rail system would take workers to their destinations.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12806276849675442236noreply@blogger.com