In regard to our discussion of PRT, I have to say that I like the bus system, but just one thing could be improved if it were technically possible. Having ridden the LRT enough times now, I think the use of the electric motor is the nicest part of it. The noise and fumes are so much less than any form of petroelum driven transportation. If there were a way that we could have buses driven by electricity, I would be very much in favor of evolving by attrition to that from diesel buses.
I agree that the electric motors are important to the comfort of the ride but that's only half of it. One can actually stand on the LRT even without holding onto rails. Try that on a bus.
Rails/fixed guideway are important for a number of reasons:
- Smooth ride (I'm not convinced PRT has this advantage given my demo ride at Taxi2000)
- The ability to visually see where one is going. Somehow it's much easier for me to remember the LRT route than the route of the #6. :) When I visited NYC I very quickly understood the subway system. Not so for the bus system.
- Fixed guideways are likely to remain where they are. One can invest in housing, business, etc. with a reasonable guarantee that the routes won't change.
That said, buses are important. The major corridors in the Met Council's 2020 plan (the 2030 plan being a delay of the 2020 plan) ought to be rail. Buses should run from the neighborhoods to feed the corridors.
The plan is still missing the 94/494/694 loop LRT. This is important because according to the Met Council's own study, more jobs are in the suburbs than in the central cores. We need cross-suburb transit.
David Greene
The Wedge
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