February 20, 2008
fast busses are not street cars
The most recent edition of richmond.com’s Ask the Mayor includes a question for Mayor Wilder from Ben Wright of Jackson Ward: “With all this talk about the new Master Plan, I would like to know what your feelings are about putting the street car system back in place?”
Mayor Wilder basically punts and talks about busses:
The city and GRTC are moving forward with plans for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) that will serve as a modern-day streetcar system and provides many of its benefits such as reduced pollution and traffic. An economical alternative for commuters, BRT is envisioned to extend from Rocketts Landing through Downtown to Short Pump. Funding through the Federal Transit Administration for fixed rail projects is dependent upon a proven track record of transit need and support.
During the Master Plan meetings last summer, citizens and community leaders provided positive feedback on reintroducing a pedestrian-friendly streetcar system in Richmond that invites a return to a “walkable Downtown” and offers easy access to shops, restaurants and civic centers in the area. BRT will support these community enhancements.
In a nutshell, fast busses are cheaper than streetcars. Its understandable, given the more pressing priorities faced by the City- street and sewer maintenance, schools. (VCU should be contributing to the City’s streetcar efforts!!!!)However, its also true that much of economic benefit that comes with the commitment of fixed rail may be missed.
What is most important is that the routing is designed for the overall benefit of Richmond citizens. Far many years, all we kept getting was proposals for ‘historic trolley replicas’ that were designed mainly for tourists using the Convention Center. What a waste!
I support BRT, but as many say- the devil is in the details.