DDOT Light Rail Presentation Today

[ASR89]

Well folks, I just got back from the meeting. The turn-out was kind of low. There were maybe seven people there: Three older folks, two super cute college girls, dtowncitylover [[it was nice to me you), and me.

Pretty much, there wasn't much new information at all. If you've been following the project, you didn't miss anything. Two of the older guys seemed new to the project so I suppose it doesn't hurt to recap.

To rbdetsport & French: I asked about the progress of merging the M1 and DTOGS plans and currently, it's unknown about what they're going to do. Nothing's changed.

Currently, they're on the environmental impact studies. They have to write a report and submit it in order to get federal funds.

To end out the meeting, they showed the demonstration video. It's on Youtube if you haven't seen it.

Another one of the older guys was really adamant about elevated rail. He asked if it was cost-efficient to go with at-grade light rail instead of elevated. They answered that it would be more cost-efficient for at-grade. Elevated and subway modes are pretty much off the table.

There was discussion about the downtown set-up. The different proposals are on DTOGS's site.

Ummmm.... I can't think of anything else. That was pretty much it.

Rant from trainman about public transit in 5....4...3...2...1...

[dtowncitylover]

I didn't understand how he could believe that elevated is more cost-effective. Elevated has to be more expensive than at-grade and harder to keep-up. Same old, same old though, like ljbad89 said and tt was nice to meet you too!

[Russix]

Your YES vote for the August 2010 SMART property tax renewal means NO state money for mass transit and SMART and DDOT.

If transit prominent mass transit advocacy group members get their way, our state will join the many states that no longer provide any money for mass transit. State funds for SMART and DDOT will be history.

This is because it is much easier to raise and secure local and county money and in larger amounts.

In the words of one transit tax advocate, the three most important things the taxpayers need to know at the voting booth is Money, Money and Money. Thus, always vote YES, YES, YES for all mass transit tax increases.

Classic Trainman Nostalgia!

[j to the jeremy]

For what it's worth, I was the kid from WSU SEAL that was hosting the event. Thanks to everyone who came out. The turnout was low but it was kind of underpublicized and Wayne is starting finals so people are busy. Just curious, dtowncitylover & ljbad89, do you mind telling me which audience members you were? I remember pretty much everyone who was there haha. You can message me if you want.

[ASR89]

Jeremy, I was the young guy in the wool hat. I asked about the status of the DTOGS-M1 Rail merger.

[professorscott]

J to the Jeremy, thanks for hosting it. I would have been there myself but at my U we are going through exams as well, and I was giving one. By the time I'd have got there, shooting down toward WSU on the Dexter [[speaking of which bus, has anyone heard from Jjaba lately?) and then walking across to the student center, it'd have been over with already.

Watch these blogs for future such events and I hope to meet you at one!

Prof. Scott

[mauser]

Ironic that DDOT would have presentations for light rail, when they actually came into existence when DSR was disbanded and all the street cars were liquidated around 1956.

Yup - pretty ironic alright.