All you ever wanted to know about the opposition… with flow chart!
Blog KC did some serious homework last night. Check out their post that ties all of the light rail opposition money to its various sources. Hint: It's more complicated than another shitty car wash. This is the network of "groups" and individuals that has been trying to manhandle KC into staying a cow town, whether you like it or not. Enjoy!
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I think the Mayor did the gig as a Cowtown on TV.
Very poor taste when that happens.
So I don’t see any neighborhood groups for Light Rail. The one’s who back Light Rail seem to be the one’s to profit. So whats you point? Why don’t you list the one’s that back Light Rail as well. HNBT…….etc etc etc.
Streetcars could have been up and running by the time you even start digging for Light Rail,and for a third of the cost.It just goes to show it’s not about transit,but the money that can be made.
Northlander,
Your streetcar comment makes no sense. Streets also have to be dug up to lay the rails for street cars. There is very little difference in construction time.
And the reason you don’t see neighborhood associations endorsing ballot issues like light rail is that most are incorporated as non-profits that are not able to get politically involved that way.
It takes one week per block for streetcars , while it will take much longer for Light Rail. Big dollar wise if you business is on the route,and cost wise for building the route. you only dig down 18-24 inches for streetcars, but 4-5 feet for Light Rail where you have to move all the gas line, water line etc. etc. If this were about transit we could of had streetcars up and going without the feds and riding instead of waiting for another 5-7 year. Neighborhood people can speak out ,but city hall just won’t listen,or the ATA. Also bridges won’t have to be replaced if streetcars are used,but new bridges will have to go in for LR. Which means longer time for orange cones downtown.
you have little grasp of the quality of kansas city’s bridges. walked across one lately? they’re ALL in a sorry state and probably aren’t fit to support your average vehicle, let alone any lightweight rail vehicle. unless you have the public works department backing you up on that (which you don’t), it’s time to give up the charade.
again, this is a commuter-style system that requires flexibility for future growth (full LRT). streetcars are urban circulators and are better suited to run short loops within the confines of downtown or the plaza.
Dave glad you agree with me ,that’s just where most of the starter line will go.Check out the stations, they are best for streetcars not LR. LR would be best for a run from downtown out to to blue ridge mall ,Indp. mall Blue Springs,only three stops with time to build up speed. No need to have a cadillac when you only need a chevy. Cost far exceed the need for the 1% of the people that use transit. By the way a new bridge is by the Sprint Center,which is the way some might want LR to go.LR is far to heavy for the bridges downtown, an any route would cause them all to be redone on that route.Streetcars weight in at 50,000,you need to check the KC Star 10/28/07 on streetcars 2 full pages. Read it first and then write back. Looks like someone from City Hall might of got to the Star,they seem to have made a one sided look at LR now.
Streetcars in Kansas City went to KCK, Dobson, Independence, and Waldo and among the entire area we’re putting light rail. The long-distance routes went on dedicated routes with dedicated bridges
The Interurbans went to Liberty, St Joe, Olathe and the like
We’re putting in the Interurbans again not street cars. If we were putting in street cars we would be planning for business circulars