Charlotte, NC|Light Rail A Big Success During ACC Tournament, CIAA and upcoming NCAA’s
March 23rd, 2008 Categories: Charlotte News and Politics
Charlotte Light Rail Update: Average Daily ridership exceeds 14000 in February
This light rail increase in daily ridership is mostly due to the ACC tournament and The CIAA tournament, which drew 90,000 riders in 4 days, and 80,000 riders in 8 days respectively. The trains were full, extras were added and are sure to be again for next weeks NCAA tournament!
January Daily ridership was 11,930 and December’s was 12,457, much higher than first year projections of 9500 daily trips by the Charlotte Area Transit Authority. (CATS)
The South line is the first of 3 lines planned for the greater Charlotte area, the other two would connect Uptown Charlotte with the University area and the the other would connect as far north as Mooresville, if financing is approved.
And how do the local folks of North Carolina feel about public transportation? Elon University tried to answer that question just in the last month…
“The poll, conducted March 10-13, 2008, by the Elon University Institute for Politics and Public Affairs, surveyed 473 North Carolina residents. The poll has a margin of error of 4.5 percent.
The leading statewide transportation issues, as identified by poll respondents, include:
Price of gas: 31 percent
Public transportation: 17 percent
Road conditions: 13 percent
Traffic congestion: 10 percentImproving public transportation services and widening existing roads were named the most effective means of dealing with congestion, and both alternatives were supported by more than four out of every five respondents.” (Italics , bold and red are by me, tm) I hope our politicians take note of that. An effort to remove the funding for light rail was defeated by more than 2 to 1 last November.
Light rail extends the commuting market- in other words, areas “too far away” become closer, because of trains… consider this multi-Lynx user, from Tega Cay SC, qugted from the Charlotte Observer… “going uptown on business and lunch with friends, Stanar, 61, of Tega Cay, S.C., was on his fourth ride. He was a veteran of the Lynx Blue Line, and told me all about it.” “I love it,’ said Stanar, a retired employee benefits consultant. “It’s reliable and it’s cheap. It’s comfortable and clean, at least so far. You can’t beat it.” see the rest of the story from the Charlotte Observer
This will make the more distant points in Southwest Charlotte, and close in South Carolina more attractive for folks working in the city as they have another alternative to reach the city, much like commuters in larger cities, they will begin to drive to the last train station, then take the train. The current parking deck holds more than 1000 cars, and is full most days. That will have to be expanded before too long. An Observer reporter recently counted more than 3000 cars in the parking decks along the way… now if we can expand bus traffic to the train stops.
It is estimated that Charlotte will grow by 49,000 residents per year through 2010… we have congestion now, so certainly the answer to congestion is not only rail… but includes better roads, fast buses, and other attractive means of entering the city- see the bike link below.
Interested in investing in Charlotte real estate, or buying a Charlotte home? I invite you to try my easy to use search site, Search Charlotte MLS. Like more Charlotte Real Estate info, that’s my real estate blog. If you prefer, you may always call me direct at 704-351-1519.Terry McDonald
Related Links
For the most up to date planning information on south Charlotte roads, try MUMPO, Mecklenburg-Union Planning.
The Charlotte area Biking plan, expanding the 50 mile of dedicated bike lanes to 182 miles of bike lanes
Charlotte Area Transit - CATS
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Yea, their plan to expand the bike lanes and greenways. Wonder how long that will take. It always looks good on paper but if it is always “Under Construction” Like the current greenway situation whats the point in even doing the paper work?